Start Date: Jan. 23, 2026
Disaster Types: Severe Weather
Region: North America
View maps and data on the NASA Disasters Portal.
UPDATE JAN. 28, 2026
A large winter storm has impacted much of the continental U.S., bringing snow, ice, and subfreezing temperatures. The storm paralyzed roadways and caused widespread power outages, with media reporting more than 1 million customers without power at the storm’s peak on Jan. 25. More than half a million people are still reported without power as of Jan. 27, posing critical life-safety concerns in the prolonged extreme cold.
NASA's Disaster Response Coordination System (DRCS) activated Jan. 26 to support state and federal stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), FEMA Headquarters and FEMA Region 4. NASA is providing satellite-based data and maps, including Black Marble nighttime lights imagery, to help partners identify areas experiencing power outages and monitor restoration trends. High-resolution satellite imagery acquired through NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CDSA) program is also supporting FEMA Headquarters and Region 4 response activities.
By delivering timely, actionable Earth science information, NASA aims to help partners focus response resources, coordinate response actions, and reduce risks to life and health during extreme winter conditions.
Products supporting this activation are posted to the U.S. Winter Storm January 2026 event gallery in the NASA Disasters Portal as they become available.
