Two elderly women in South Carolina died of hypothermia during Winter Storm Fern: an 83-year-old in Lexington County (Jan. 25) and a 96-year-old in Greenwood County (Jan. 26) who suffered from dementia and was reported missing before being found. A separate 93-year-old also died near her home the same weekend. The storm left over 470,000 homes and businesses without heat or power as of Jan. 27, and the National Weather Service warned of another Arctic blast and additional heavy snow into early February.
Winter Storm Fern: Two Elderly South Carolina Women Die of Hypothermia As Power Outages, Arctic Cold Continue
A snow-covered road in Greenville, S.C., on Jan. 25.Sean Rayford/Getty
Two elderly women in South Carolina died of hypothermia in separate incidents linked to Winter Storm Fern, officials confirmed. The deaths come amid widespread power outages and warnings of another surge of Arctic air across the eastern United States.
Incident Details
On Sunday, Jan. 25, an 83-year-old woman in Lexington County was found outside and later pronounced dead of hypothermia, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said. The Lexington County Coroner's Office declined to release the victim’s name or additional circumstances.
On Monday, Jan. 26, a 96-year-old woman in Greenwood County who suffered from dementia was reported missing early that morning; her body was later discovered and the Greenwood County Coroner’s Office confirmed hypothermia as a contributing cause of death. Officials said no foul play was suspected and did not release her name.
Authorities also previously reported that a separate 93-year-old woman died from extreme cold a block from her home during the same weekend.
A snow storm in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 25.Amid FARAHI / AFP via Getty
Wider Impact
The fatalities are part of a broader wave of dangerous winter conditions as the storm swept across large parts of the U.S., bringing hazardous cold, ice and heavy snow in some areas. As of Tuesday, Jan. 27, more than 470,000 homes and businesses remained without heat or power, the Associated Press reported.
New York City reported 10 people found dead outdoors during Winter Storm Fern, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, underscoring how life-threatening the cold proved to be for vulnerable people without shelter or heat.
“Another Arctic blast will surge south across the northern Plains tonight, crossing the Midwest and reaching the Gulf Coast Friday night,” the National Weather Service said in an advisory on Jan. 29. “Dangerously cold temperatures will persist across the eastern U.S. into early February.”
Forecasters also warned of heavy snowfall for the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas, and the southern mid-Atlantic beginning Friday, Jan. 30, and continuing through the weekend, raising additional concerns about travel, heating, and utility restoration.
Safety Reminder
Officials urge residents to check on elderly neighbors and family members, seek warming centers if heat is unavailable, and avoid prolonged exposure to the cold. Those caring for people with dementia or mobility challenges should take extra precautions to ensure they remain safe indoors.
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