Deadly Arctic Blast Freezes Southeast US
The Arctic blast Freezes Southeast US is facing has plunged millions into dangerous conditions as record breaking cold grips large parts of the region. A severe cold morning weather alert remains in effect across Southeast Georgia and South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where forecasters say wind chills have dropped into the single digits and low teens, creating life threatening exposure risks.
According to WSAV Storm Team 3 and the National Weather Service, this deep freeze follows a powerful bomb cyclone that delivered rare and heavy snowfall across the Carolinas over the weekend. While the storm system has since moved offshore, it left behind an intense Arctic high pressure system that is now driving the coldest air many Southern communities have experienced in more than a decade.
In the Savannah and Chatham County area, an Extreme Cold Warning is in force through Monday morning. Although snowfall was lighter locally, officials warn that freezing temperatures and black ice pose serious dangers to drivers and pedestrians, especially during early morning hours.
Overnight temperatures have fallen into the low 20s, but strong wind gusts near 30 miles per hour are pushing the apparent temperature much lower. Authorities say prolonged subfreezing conditions are increasing the risk of burst pipes, power disruptions, and heating related accidents. Residents are urged to allow faucets to drip and keep cabinet doors open to protect plumbing systems.
To assist vulnerable residents, the City of Savannah has opened an emergency warming center at the Greenbriar Children’s Center on Hopkins Street. The facility is operating nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the duration of the cold alert, offering shelter to the homeless and those without reliable heating.
The impact of this winter outbreak stretches far beyond coastal Georgia. Nearly 150 million people across the Eastern United States are currently under some form of cold weather advisory. In North Georgia and parts of the Carolina Piedmont, residents continue digging out from snow accumulations ranging between six and eleven inches.
Travel conditions have deteriorated significantly. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has extended the statewide State of Emergency for all counties through February 6, 2026. Major highways including Interstate 85 and Interstate 95 have recorded hundreds of weather related crashes due to icy road surfaces.
The freeze has also hit agriculture hard. In Florida, farmers have turned to emergency measures such as spraying water on strawberries and citrus crops. As the water freezes, it forms a protective ice layer that helps shield plants from further temperature damage.
Nationally, the ongoing series of winter storms has had tragic consequences. Officials report more than 85 storm related deaths nationwide, linked to hypothermia, traffic accidents, and carbon monoxide poisoning caused by unsafe heating practices.
As the Arctic blast Southeast US endures, weather officials are urging residents to remember the Four Ps: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants. Experts warn that frostbite can develop on exposed skin in under 30 minutes. Anyone going outdoors should wear at least three layers consisting of a moisture wicking base, an insulating middle layer, and a wind resistant outer shell.
Authorities strongly caution against using ovens, stovetops, or grills for home heating due to the extreme fire and carbon monoxide risks. While the storm system has exited into the Atlantic, forecasters say temperatures will remain well below seasonal norms through midweek, keeping the focus on safety and survival across the region.