Over One Million Lose Power as Major Ice Storm Cripples Southeast Power Grid From Texas to the Carolinas

SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES — A powerful winter storm continues to hammer the Southeast, leaving more than one million customers without electricity as ice, sleet, and heavy snow place extreme strain on regional power grids. Utility officials warn outages are likely to increase further as freezing rain continues across the Southern Appalachian Mountains and surrounding states.

The storm’s most severe impacts are concentrated across Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, and the Carolinas, where ice accumulation and falling trees have damaged power lines and substations.

Tennessee Emerges as the Hardest-Hit State

Tennessee currently accounts for the largest share of outages, with more than 306,000 customers without power statewide. Heavy ice accretion combined with gusty winds has caused widespread tree failures, pulling down transmission lines and blocking roadways.

Emergency officials report restoration efforts are being slowed by dangerous travel conditions, particularly in higher elevations and rural areas where ice coverage remains thick.

Significant Outages Across the Deep South

Several Deep South states are experiencing widespread power failures as the storm pushes east:

• Mississippi: Approximately 175,000 customers without power, largely due to ice-coated lines and falling limbs.
• Louisiana: Around 145,000 outages, with utilities reporting infrastructure damage from freezing rain.
• Georgia: Roughly 80,000 customers in the dark, especially in northern counties impacted by ice.
• Texas: About 93,000 outages, primarily in northern and eastern regions affected by snow and ice.

Utility crews across these states are working around the clock, but officials caution that restoration could take days in the hardest-hit locations.

Carolinas and Virginia See Growing Impacts

Further east, outages continue to climb as ice spreads across the Southern Appalachians:

• North Carolina: Around 30,000 customers without power, mainly in western and central areas.
• Virginia: Approximately 35,000 outages, with ice and snow disrupting service in mountain communities.
• South Carolina: While currently reporting fewer outages, officials warn numbers may rise as freezing rain continues.

Power providers stress that additional outages are likely as ice continues to accumulate on already stressed infrastructure.

Ice Storm Threat Far From Over

Meteorologists warn that freezing rain remains ongoing across portions of the Southern Appalachians, meaning new outages could occur even in areas that briefly regain power. Ice-laden trees remain unstable, and falling limbs pose ongoing risks to crews and residents alike. Residents are urged to avoid downed power lines, limit travel, and prepare for extended outages, particularly in rural or mountainous regions.

Have you lost power where you live, or are you seeing damage in your community? Share your experience and stay informed with continued storm coverage from SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com as restoration efforts continue and conditions evolve.