WASHINGTON D.C January 25, 2026 – In an exclusive interview on Fox News from the National Response Coordination Center, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the federal government’s proactive response to Winter Storm Fern, a massive weather event that has left over 1 million Americans without power and disrupted travel across much of the country.
The storm, which began intensifying on January 23, has brought heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and damaging ice to approximately 40 states, affecting an estimated 213 million people under winter weather warnings. As of Sunday morning, power outages had surged to more than 1 million nationwide, with the South particularly hard-hit by ice accumulations that have toppled trees and power lines. Georgia alone reported over 32,000 outages early in the event, with totals climbing rapidly as the storm moved eastward.
Secretary Noem, speaking from FEMA’s coordination hub, described the multi-agency effort underway: “We knew for several days ahead of time this would be significant… It would include not just snow but damaging ice that could be catastrophic for people losing power by taking down power lines [and] impacting tree branches that will cause a lot of damage.” She noted that agencies are embedded at the center to support state and local responses, with repair crews working in coordination to restore services.
Noem stressed the ongoing risks, even as precipitation tapers off: “Just because it’s going to stay cold for a period of time… this ice will keep those lines heavy. For several days, we’re gonna have below-freezing temperatures that will make sure if we get a little bit of wind or some stress on those lines, they still could potentially lose power.” She added that FEMA is monitoring the situation closely and has been in direct contact with governors multiple times to ensure equipment and aid are deployed where needed.
The federal response aligns with disaster declarations in affected states, where local teams lead initial efforts, supported by state management and FEMA assistance. “In disasters like these, it’s always the local leadership team that responds. The states manage the disaster, and then FEMA comes in and supports—and that’s what’s happening in these states,” Noem explained.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) sharing the interview clip, Noem credited President Trump’s administration for enhancing disaster preparedness: “We were prepared for this storm because President Trump made it his mission to fix federal disaster response.” She urged the public to stay informed through state, local, and federal announcements.
The storm has also led to tragic outcomes, with at least two deaths reported, and has forced the cancellation of over 10,000 flights.The National Weather Service has warned of “long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel” due to heavy ice. Even as the storm shifts, risks of additional outages persist into Monday in some areas, particularly where sub-freezing temperatures linger.
FEMA advises residents to prepare for potential outages by stocking up on essentials and following safety guidelines. For the latest updates, visit FEMA.gov or local emergency management resources.
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