Fern

Winter Storm Fern

An Historic Restoration Effort

February 1, 2026
3:45 p.m. ET

Winter Storm Fern brought historic ice accumulation, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures to much of the U.S. South and Mid-Atlantic, resulting in an historic mutual assistance restoration effort.

“Thanks to the extraordinary work of all the impacted companies and the tireless efforts of tens of thousands of mutual assistance workers from across the nation, tremendous restoration progress has been made following Winter Storm Fern,” said EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney. “Approximately 90 percent of impacted customers have had their power restored, and our crews continue to work around the clock to restore power to the remaining impacted customers who can safely receive it. We appreciate our government partners and industry collaborators for helping to enable this historic restoration effort.”

Workers continue to face dangerously cold temperatures, treacherous roads, and falling trees and branches, requiring significant safety precautions to be taken. In many cases, trees are falling in areas that already were restored, causing new outages.

Some customers may not be able to receive power to their homes because of damage. If fallen trees or heavy ice damaged the point where wires connect to a customer's home or business, inspections by a licensed electrician may be required before power can be restored.

Resources

Press Release: Close Industry-Government Coordination Supporting Around-the-Clock Restoration Efforts (January, 29 2026)
Press Release: Electric Power Industry Mobilizes, Coordinates Closely on Winter Storm Fern Response (January, 23 2026)

The Steps To The Power Restoration Process

Every electric company has a detailed plan for restoring power after storms. Typically, one of the first steps is to make sure that power is no longer flowing through downed lines. Restoration then proceeds based on established priorities. Below are the steps to restore power after a storm. Learn More.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 1

Power Plants

Power Plants Power plants, the primary source of power production, are assessed for damage and restored.

Step 2

Transmission Lines

Transmission Lines High-voltage transmission lines serving thousands of customers over wide areas are repaired.

Step 3

Substations

Substations Substations are brought online in order for power to reach local distribution lines.

Step 4

Essential Services

Essential Services Power is restored to essential services and facilities critical to public health and safety such as hospitals, nursing homes, fire and police departments, and water systems.

Step 5

Large Service Areas

Large Service Areas Crews are dispatched to repair lines that will return service to the largest number of customers in the least amount of time. Service lines to neighborhoods, industries, and businesses are restored systematically.

Step 6

Individual Homes

Individual Homes Once major repairs are completed, service lines to individual homes and smaller groups of customers are restored. Some customers may not be able to receive power to their homes because of damage. Flooding can damage electrical systems, and inspections by a licensed electrician may be required before a home can receive power. Customers should never touch damaged equipment.

January 22, 2026

EEI Storm Center

Winter Storm Fern

Resources

Mutual Assistance Networks Activated and Ready to Respond

Winter Storm Safety Tips

Mutual Assistance: 5 Things to Know

Preparing for Power Outages

Emergency Outage Kit

Understanding the Electric Power Industry's Response and Restoration Process

Videos

Drew Maloney Discusses Winter Storm Fern Response on CNBC

Alabama Power Company

ComEd

Duke Energy

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Mississippi

Exelon

FirstEnergy

Georgia Power Company

LG&E and KU Energy

Oncor

Pepco

Tampa Electric

The Steps To The Power Restoration Process

Photo Gallery

Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi

Exelon Corporation

Georgia Power Company

AEP Ohio

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana

Indiana Michigan Company

Entergy Mississippi

TNMP

Appalachian Power Company

Southwestern Electric Power Company

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana

Oncor

TNMP

Appalachian Power Company

Entergy Mississippi

Oncor

Appalachian Power Company

Appalachian Power Company

LG&E and KU Energy

Mississippi Power Company

TNMP

TNMP

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana

TNMP

AEP Ohio

AEP Texas

Dominion Energy

Georgia Power Company

Georgia Power Company

Oncor

Oncor

PNM

Public Service Company of Oklahoma

Public Service Company of Oklahoma

Public Service Company of Oklahoma

Public Service Company of Oklahoma

Public Service Company of Oklahoma

PECO

Pepco

Oncor

BGE

Cleco

Delmarva Power

Entergy

Entergy Louisiana