The other day, we reported that multiple State Defense Forces and National Guard units had been activated as Winter Storm Fern, an expansive arctic system, swept across the United States, leaving millions of households without power and plunging wide regions into hazardous winter conditions.
Since that update, the storm’s impacts have continued to unfold across dozens of states with severe consequences for communities, infrastructure, and emergency response networks. At least 44 deaths have now been attributed to the storm’s combination of snow, ice, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures. More than 380,000 power customers remain without electricity, especially in the South where ice-laden trees and power lines have caused widespread outages. Bitter cold persists in many areas despite the storm moving eastward.Â
Travel remains treacherous throughout the Midwest, South, and Northeast after heavy snowfalls and ice accumulation grounded flights, closed interstates, and kept emergency crews busy with vehicle recoveries and response missions. Meteorologists warn that frigid temperatures will persist at least into early February, with another significant system potentially developing off the East Coast, one that could intensify into a bomb cyclone or strong nor’easter over the coming weekend. Forecast models indicate that the Carolinas and parts of southern Virginia have the highest chance of heavy snow and strong winds, though the exact track and impacts remain uncertain.
Across Georgia, roughly 120 Georgia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and Georgia State Defense Force members have been deployed across northeast Georgia as part of the coordinated response to the winter storm. These teams are assisting local agencies in keeping communities safe, monitoring conditions, and standing ready to help wherever needed under the State of Emergency declaration. State Defense Force trainers have also been conducting chainsaw safety and operations training for Guard members in Toccoa, preparing crews for potential debris clearance missions once conditions permit. Members have actively engaged in early-morning salting operations at the armory to ensure safe working conditions and maintain response readiness throughout the storm. GSDF personnel have been directly involved in clearing downed trees near residential areas in Clarkesville and Helen, utilizing chainsaws and engineer resources to support local infrastructure restoration and emergency access. The Georgia Department of Defense emphasizes its role in providing versatile, trained forces capable of responding quickly to natural disasters and supporting civil authorities across the state.
In Virginia, Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard continue to operate alongside members of the Virginia Defense Force to support winter weather response activities throughout the Commonwealth. These operations include monitoring threat levels, preparing logistics and support elements, and standing by to assist with snow & ice response missions as conditions dictate. National Guard units are positioned to aid in debris removal, commodity transport, and other essential missions under direction from state emergency management partners. The Virginia Defense Force remains on alert to provide administrative and logistical support to ensure seamless coordination between military assets and civilian authorities during the ongoing response.
With projections indicating yet another potentially powerful storm system developing off the East Coast later this week, State Defense Forces and National Guard units are maintaining heightened preparedness. Forces are on standby and ready to support response and recovery efforts across impacted and at-risk regions, from transporting critical supplies to assisting with community warming efforts, clearing roadways, and supporting emergency operations centers if activated.
More news will be shared in the coming week as response operations begin to conclude and State Defense Force & National Guard Public Affairs Offices organize and publish photos and footage of missions conducted. We have also been informed that numerous additional State Defense Forces beyond Georgia and Virginia have been activated in response to Winter Storm Fern, and more details are expected as their respective operations are reported.
Members of our band are out serving Virginians through Winter Storm Fern!
SPC Gandy and SPC Lindsay, both Army musicians, led a chainsaw handling and safety class to prepare 29th Infantry Division Soldiers for debris clearing operations. Their civilian expertise helped ensure the team is ready to safely support the community.
Our Soldiers and Airmen, along with members of the Virginia Defense Force, continue to stand ready to support winter weather response operations across Virginia.
Georgia State Defense Force members conduct early-morning salting operations at the armory in Toccoa, Georgia, ensuring safe conditions and continued readiness during winter weather.
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) 1st Sgt. Joseph Costa, an engineer, saws a downed tree near a residential area during Winter Storm Fern in Clarkesville, Georgia, Jan. 26, 2026.
The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile and ready force capable of responding to natural and manmade disasters across the United States. The Georgia Department of Defense is trained and equipped to ensure rapid, coordinated and effective support is available to civil authorities on short notice.
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeron Walker)
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers utilize a chainsaw to clear a fallen tree during Winter Storm Fern response in Helen, Georgia, Jan. 27, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile and ready force capable of responding to natural and manmade disasters across the United States. The Georgia Department of Defense is trained and equipped to ensure rapid, coordinated and effective support is available to civil authorities on short notice.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Thomas Norris)
A debris clearance team comprised of Georgia National Guard Soldiers from the 878th Engineer Battalion, 648th and Georgia State Defense Force Soldiers clear roads in Habersham County west of Clarksville, Ga., Jan.26, 2026.
Soldiers and Airmen of the Georgia National Guard are clearing downed trees in throughout northeast Georgia while additional teams are conducting reconnaissance of routes to assist in road clearing efforts.
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
(Georgia Army National Guard photo by Command Sgt. Maj. John Ballenger)
Sources: Virginia National Guard – Georgia State Defense Force – Atlanta News First – ABC10 – CNN
