At least 15 die from cold in Maryland in first 2 weeks of heavy snow, ice storm

Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun on Feb 11, 2026

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BALTIMORE — In the week after a winter storm dropped heavy snow and ice across the country, at least a dozen people died as a result of hypothermia in Maryland. In the following seven days, as frigid temperatures left the scraped remains of ice and snow piled on sidewalks and roads, state data shows at least three more.

Every Wednesday during the cold season — between November and roughly the end of March — the Maryland Department of Health issues a report outlining cold-related illnesses from the preceding week. It includes the number of emergency calls made per day; the reported cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur as a result of poor heating and snow-clogged exhaust pipes; and demographic data of the victims.

Because the death counts are based on when the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner can conduct autopsies, the totals sometimes bleed into the following week’s report. But MDH spokesperson David McCallister confirmed that of the 46 cold-related deaths this season, 11 took place between the Jan. 24 snowstorm and Saturday.

McCallister said, however, that more could be reported in the coming weeks or months. And the state’s data only includes deaths that have been evaluated by the medical examiner.

Since the wintery mix, counties and jurisdictions throughout the state have activated emergency measures and protocols, unlocking or extending access to resources and heating shelters. Those steps were kept and stopped at different rates. On Tuesday, for instance, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott ended the city’s 19-day state of emergency.

According to the MDH, deaths with hypothermia as a cause or factor in the two-week period were spread out across Maryland, in urban, suburban and rural areas:

— 4 dead in Baltimore City, which has seen the most cases this season, with 12).

— 3 dead in Baltimore County.

— 2 dead in Prince George’s County.

— 2 dead in Montgomery County.

— 2 dead in Washington County.

— 1 dead in Anne Arundel County.

— 1 dead in Charles County.

State data shows that in the 2025-’26 cold season, 29 of the 46 people who died were seniors, while 31 were men.

Of those who died, approximately 15% were presumed to be homeless, and 72% had addresses listed. The MDH noted that the addresses provided might not accurately reflect where the decedents lived.

Using data from the medical examiner’s death reports, the health department found that 21 of this season’s deaths took place indoors, areas protected from weather exposure, and 23 took place outside.

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