2026 winter storm

Stay safe after the winter storms

Starting in late January, millions of people across the U.S. were impacted by dangerous freezing rain, heavy snow, and life-threatening wind chill. 

Areas that typically do not experience severe winter weather, including several states in the southern U.S., were in path of the storm. 

The storms may be over for many people, but the danger is not.  Extreme cold, ice, and snow continue to impact many states.  Continue to listen to your state and local officials for updates in your area, including immediate safety information.

• Find the latest information about the 2026 winter storm from FEMA.
• Go to your state's emergency management agency to discover what help is available near you.

Get immediate disaster safety tips

Stay safe during a power outage

• Thousands of people are without power in the wake of the storm. Learn how to protect yourself and your family during a power outage.
• Contact your utility provider directly for updates in your area.

Use heating equipment safely

Heating equipment, like generators, space heaters, and furnaces, can increase the risk of fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. 

• Follow the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety tips to protect your family and home.
• Recognize the warning signs of CO poisoning, find common sources of CO in the home, and take action to prevent exposure.

Check on your neighbors

Keep in contact with your neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities. Ensure they're safe and have what they need.

Protect yourself during clean-up

Extreme cold weather puts a serious strain on your health. Use these outdoor safety tips from the CDC like:

• Stay off the ice.
• Dress warmly and stay dry.
• Avoid overexerting yourself when shoveling, using a chainsaw, or de-icing.
• Recognize the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Watch out for scams after the storm

• Scammers may pretend to be your utility company. Use these tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to spot a scam and know where to report it.
• Be careful with any emails, texts, and social media about the recent winter weather. Fraudulent messages and phishing scams are common after a disaster. Stay safe with this guide from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
• Know how to identify common scams and where to report them.

Find shelter

• Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and your ZIP Code to 43362.
• Find active warming centers and other shelter from the Salvation Army and American Red Cross.
• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to find shelter near you.

Limit unnecessary travel

• Stay off the roads, even after the winter weather event ends in your area. This helps keep them clear for emergency responders and to avoid dangerous road conditions.
• Your flights may cancelled or delayed. Visit fly.faa.gov to find the status of airports across the country.

Get emergency alerts

During and after emergencies, public safety officials use reliable systems to keep you informed.

• Download the FEMA mobile app to receive real-time information about your area on your phone or other devices.
• Learn how to get emergency alerts from Ready.gov. This resource provides information on the available government alert sources and explains how to access them.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has activated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in response to communications affected by Winter Storm Fern. DIRS is a web-based system that communications providers use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of emergency. Learn more and get winter storm-related updates.

Support your mental health

Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.

Find what you need as a service member or veteran

• Use the Veterans Affairs (VA) locations tool to check the status and hours of your local VA facility.
• If you are a veteran or are concerned about a veteran who is in distress, contact the Veterans Crisis Line. It is confidential and available 24/7. You can:
  • Call 988, then Press 1,
  • Send a text to 838255, or
  • Chat online.