Historic Winter Storm Fern Ravages U.S., Leaving Millions Without Power and Claiming Lives

A massive winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, swept across the United States over the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm brought heavy snowfall, damaging ice, and below-freezing temperatures to numerous states, affecting more than 230 million people, according to Time. As of Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service reported that Bonito Lake, New Mexico, received the highest snowfall total in the U.S. with 31 inches.

The storm broke records in many parts of the country. Central Park in New York City saw 11.4 inches of snow on Sunday, the most ever recorded, while Dayton, Ohio, broke its previous record with 12.4 inches of snow in a single day, according to Time.

The inclement weather led to thousands of canceled flights and widespread power outages. More than one million people were left without power, Time reported. At least 12 deaths have been attributed to the storm, including seven in New York City. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the deaths in New York City are still under investigation. "It is still too early to share a broader diagnosis or a cause of death," Mamdani said, according to Time.

The storm presented New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani with his first major governing test since taking office, as he readied the city for the historic winter storm, Time reported.

While the East Coast grappled with the immediate aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, other parts of the country faced different crises. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a surge of federal immigration enforcement actions since early January has provoked national outrage, according to Vox. There have been two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents since the beginning of the year. On January 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen, registered nurse, and legal gun owner, was shot and killed by immigration agents after allegedly being pepper-sprayed, beaten, and forced onto his knees, Vox reported. Video evidence indicates he no longer had his firearm in his possession at the time of the shooting. His death followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer earlier in the month. Videos and eyewitness accounts have contradicted initial federal claims about the shooting, according to Vox.