DALLAS (AP) — Texas and Oklahoma braced for heavy snow and ice that could make roadways treacherous Friday in what forecasters predict will be some of the initial effects of a huge, dayslong winter storm threatening catastrophic damage, extensive power outages, and bitterly cold weather to the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.
In the Houston area, utility companies had 3,300 employees ready to tackle issues related to the winter storm, while Oklahoma’s Department of Transportation pretreated highways and interstates with salt brine. New Mexico also prepared for freezing rain and sleet starting Friday.
The storm system is expected to bring a crippling ice storm stretching from Texas through parts of the South, potentially a foot of snow from Oklahoma through Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. The final punch is a blast of bitterly cold air that could plunge wind chill temperatures to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 46 Celsius) in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Forecasters warned that the potential damage could rival a hurricane. Approximately 160 million people were under winter storm or cold weather watches and warnings. The cold air surging down from Canada prompted school cancellations in various areas, as predicted wind chills of as low as minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 37 Celsius) raised concerns about frostbite within ten minutes.
Governors of several states, including Georgia and Mississippi, declared states of emergency, urging residents to prepare for dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, utility companies anticipate prolonged power outages due to downed power lines and branches.
Airlines canceled hundreds of flights in anticipation of the storm, placing significant strain on travel plans as residents rushed to stock up on essentials. Reports indicated a scarcity of water, eggs, and other basic supplies in grocery stores.
