A state of emergency was declared in several states ahead of a massive winter storm that could bring more than a foot of snow to much of the country.
More than 70 million people across parts of 30 states now face winter storm warnings from Friday through Sunday.
Meteorologists were expected to issue more within the next couple of days and upgrade some to winter storm warnings as the storm approaches.
When it then hits, temperatures are expected to plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal in the Dakotas and Michigan, with the wind chill falling between 35 and 50 degrees below zero in some parts, according to the Weather Channel.
The National Weather Service now warns that ‘nearly everyone east of the Rockies’ will see some effect from the snow, ice or cold from Friday into early next week.
A state of emergency is now in effect in South Carolina, allowing state officials to mobilize resources, activate the National Guard and coordinate response efforts, and in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott activated the state emergency response resources on Tuesday to prepare for the storm.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, telling residents: ‘A winter storm is approaching and now is the time to prepare.’
‘Please get ready. Get everything you need in advance of the storm and have a plan in case your power goes out,’ he urged North Carolinians, encouraging them to ‘stay home and off the roads this weekend unless absolutely necessary, so first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively.’
Maryland Governor Wes Moore made a similar plea to residents as he declared a ‘State of Preparedness’ to boost the state’s response and collaborations for potential impacts from the storm.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein issued a state of emergency and Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a ‘State of Preparedness’ ahead of a massive winter storm
Officials are mobilizing resources for the impending winter weather. A snow plow is pictured cleaning the street on December 26 in Closter, New Jersey
Frigid temperatures as low as 50 below zero and 24 inches of snow, sleet and ice are expected to hamper much of the country over the coming weekend
‘The safety and security of our residents is our top priority,’ he said. ‘Please remain vigilant, listen to authorities, use common sense and complete emergency preparations as soon as possible.’
A state of emergency is also in effect in nearby South Carolina, allowing state officials to mobilize resources, activate the National Guard and coordinate response efforts, and in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott activated the state emergency response resources on Tuesday to prepare for the storm.
Meanwhile, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp asked residents of his state on social media to ‘take this time to secure food, fill up on gas and ensure you’re prepared for any potential loss of power.’
Forecasters have warned that arctic air from Canada is expected to move south into the central and southeastern US, which could result in one of the most devastating winter blasts in recent memory as it collides with the impending storm.
It will then pull moisture-rich air north from the Gulf of Mexico, and combined with the bitter cold, the storm will produce broad swaths of heavy snow, sleet and ice which could linger into next week, The New York Times reports.
By Sunday morning, Dallas, Austin and Oklahoma City could see wind chills dropping below zero.
On Monday morning, record lows are anticipated from Texas to Mississippi, with the NWS office in Dallas warning about the potential for widespread pipe damage.
After plunging the South into freezing temperatures, the cold will head eastward up into New England.
The Northeast should expect to be slammed with temperatures as low as 20 degrees below the average for this time of the year.
The impending winter storm may bring more than a foot of snow to some parts of the country. A man is pictured plowing snow in New Jersey last month
Temperatures are expected to plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal in the Dakotas and Michigan, with the wind chill falling between 35 and 50 degrees below zero in some parts. Heavy snow is pictured coming down in Minneapolis
Officials warn that roads may be slick as they urge residents to remain off the roads after several were hospitalized in a snow-related crash in upstate New York earlier this month
Under the latest forecast, two feet of snow are expected to pile up in parts of Appalachia, and up to a foot could be possible for New York City on Sunday, according to Accuweather.
Farther south has the greatest risk for significant icing stretching from central Texas through northern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas, Jennifer Tate, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, told The Times.
Forecaster Gerard Jebaily, from Fox45 in Baltimore, said: ‘I don’t ever say words like this: “This looks more and more like ‘The Big One’ for some parts of the US.”‘
He added that the southern US, accustomed to balmy weather, could be completely crippled by freezing rain.
When that ice then builds up, its weight can bring down trees and power lines, experts warn, with one meteorologist in Minnesota warning that trees could even ‘explode’ in the state due to the intense low temperatures.
The phenomenon causes trees to crack or split open abruptly from the cold due to sap freezing and expanding inside the wood.
A loud noise is usually heard coming from affected trees just before they splinter.
Others have said the damage from the storm could resemble the aftermath of a hurricane, with power down for a week afterwards.
As Americans throughout the country now gear up for the storm, some have started to raid the shelves.
Megan Monroe-Eaves shared footage online of her local Walmart in Cullman, Alabama, which had its dairy section raided prior to her arrival
Kym Adams found the bottled water section of her Walmart in Oklahoma was raided earlier this week before speculating that it was only going to get worse
In Alabama, Megan Monroe-Eaves shared footage showing her local Walmart’s dairy section had already been raided.
‘My local Walmart because someone mentioned snow and ice,’ she wrote.
‘Time for milk sandwiches. I’ll never understand panic buying, please tell me this is just a south thing.’
Another woman, known online as Jen George, posted a video outside of a grocery store in North Texas and explained how panic buyers were out in force on Monday.
She said: ‘It’s Monday and people are out there packing there carts out already, and I’m thinking lets keep some for us and other people.
‘They’re going crazy, and I understand because of the past and things that have happened, but we know here in North Texas that the weather can change like that.
‘I really hate to see what the shelves are going to look like on Wednesday or Thursday, you might want to get your groceries sooner than later,’ she added.
On Tuesday Kym Adams, from Oklahoma, put out a TikTok showing aisles at her local Walmart with people stocking up on cases of water, diapers and bread.
She said: ‘If you’re from Oklahoma you know there’s probably not any bread or milk left.’
Adams gave a tour of the store showing there were still some essentials remaining – but predicted the shelves would be cleared by Wednesday.
Shelves were already empty at one store in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday
Luz Lopez loaded up her cart ahead of the impending storm in Nashville
College sports schedules have also been adjusted due to the impending storm, with the Sun Belt Conference preemptively moving around the start times for several women’s basketball games from Thursday through Saturday.
The American Athletic Conference also adjusted its weekend men´s and women´s basketball schedules, moving some games up to Friday.
Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers were even forced to cancel their annual Fan Fest event scheduled for Saturday due to the forecast and ‘in the interest of safety for players, fans and employees.’
At the same time, travel companies have begun to warn customers that their itineraries may be affected by the tempest.
Delta and American Airlines have offered to waive change fees for those traveling between Friday and Sunday in dozens of cities, while Amtrak began canceling trips or shortening them to ‘limit exposure to hazardous conditions for our customers and team members.’
But Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday that federal emergency management resources are available.
‘We are anticipating a major winter weather event expected to impact much of the U.S. population this weekend, especially the Midwest and East Coast,’ she said.
‘DHS is working with state and local authorities, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to monitor and prepare for this likely adverse weather.
‘Please prepare and take precautions in the event of power outages, pipe-bursts, road closures, airport delays, flight cancellations, and freezing temperatures.
‘Federal emergency management is positioning to effectively respond to these conditions, and is prepared to provide aid across the affected areas.’
