A Bitter Winter: The Impact of Storm Fern
Fort Worth, Texas – Winter Storm Fern has brought dangerous conditions across North Texas and several other regions of the United States, renewing comparisons to the devastating 2021 Winter Storm Uri. While Fern has not caused widespread infrastructure failures on the scale seen during Uri, it has been linked to a growing number of fatalities, many tied to winter recreation, exposure, and medical emergencies during severe cold.
In the past week, more than 40 deaths have been reported nationwide in areas impacted by the storm. Unlike Winter Storm Uri, which resulted in more than 240 deaths in Texas, largely from hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning, several of the deaths associated with Storm Fern involve children, teenagers, and outdoor winter activities conducted under hazardous conditions.
Fatal Sledding Incident in Frisco
Two teenagers were killed in a sledding accident in Frisco, Texas, according to authorities and family confirmations.
16 year old Elizabeth “Lizzie” Angle died Sunday after being critically injured while riding on a sled pulled by a Jeep Wrangler driven by another teenager. Her friend, Grace “Gracie” Brito, also 16, was seriously injured in the same incident and placed on life support. Brito’s family confirmed Tuesday night that she later died from her injuries.
The crash occurred when the sled struck a curb and then collided with a tree. Both girls were transported to a hospital following the incident.
Frisco Independent School District acknowledged the deaths and stated that counseling and support services are being made available to students and staff as the community mourns the loss of the two students.
Three Children Die in Pond Accident Near Bonham
In another tragedy linked to the storm, three brothers, ages 6, 8, and 9, died after falling into a freezing pond northeast of Dallas.
Their mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, reported that she was nearby at the time and attempted to rescue them but was unable to do so. Some of the children’s siblings reportedly witnessed the incident.
The Bonham Independent School District confirmed the deaths in a letter to parents, describing the loss as “unimaginable,” and announced that support services would be provided to students and families affected.
Additional Fatalities Across the United States
Storm related deaths have also been reported outside Texas. In Arkansas, a 17 year old boy died after crashing into a tree while being pulled on a sled by an all terrain vehicle. In Pennsylvania, three older adults died while shoveling snow. Authorities indicated those deaths were consistent with sudden medical events, primarily cardiac related.
In New York, emergency responders reported additional cases involving hypothermia and cardiac complications as residents faced prolonged exposure to extreme cold.
Community Response and Safety Warnings
School districts, local governments, and community organizations across affected regions have mobilized counseling and crisis response resources. Officials continue to urge the public to exercise caution during winter weather, particularly when engaging in recreational activities involving vehicles, sleds, frozen bodies of water, or steep terrain.
Safety officials emphasize the importance of avoiding roadways, using designated sledding areas, staying away from frozen ponds and lakes, and ensuring adult supervision during winter activities.
While Winter Storm Fern has not reached the scale of previous historic winter disasters, its human toll has been significant. The deaths reported across multiple states underscore the risks posed by severe winter weather, even during activities often considered routine or recreational.
As winter conditions persist, authorities stress that preparation, awareness, and adherence to safety guidelines remain essential to preventing further loss of life.
