A historic winter storm is wreaking havoc across the southern United States, with unprecedented blizzard warnings issued for parts of the Gulf Coast, including southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana. This marks the first time such warnings have been declared in these areas, as the National Weather Service (NWS) highlighted the storm's extraordinary intensity and potential for widespread disruption.

The powerful system, moving across the northern Gulf of Mexico, has left Houston, New Orleans, and other major cities under a blanket of snow, with significant travel and safety concerns escalating throughout the region. Winds exceeding 35 mph, combined with heavy snowfall, have created blizzard conditions rarely seen in these parts of the country.

Houston has been particularly hard-hit, with all airports closed, public transportation suspended, and schools and universities shutting their doors. Mayor John Whitmire urged residents to stay indoors, emphasizing the dangers posed by the icy roads and extreme weather. "We don't want you to risk your life or jeopardize the safety of our police officers and firefighters if they have to rescue you when you could have stayed home," Whitmire said.

Road conditions have become treacherous, with snow-covered highways and numerous vehicle accidents reported. Houston TranStar documented a multi-truck crash on Interstate 69 in Fort Bend County, further exacerbating traffic issues. Officials have repeatedly advised against unnecessary travel. "Do not roll the dice, stay off the ice," urged Capt. Reece Hardy of the Houston Police Department in a video posted online.

Power outages are adding to the challenges, with over 33,000 utility customers without electricity as of Tuesday morning, according to FindEnergy.com. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) declared a transmission emergency, citing freezing precipitation as a significant factor in the outages. While the grid remains operational for now, concerns over prolonged blackouts loom large.

Louisiana and Mississippi are also grappling with severe weather conditions. New Orleans, where snowfall is exceedingly rare, is expecting 3 to 5 inches of snow-an event not seen in such magnitude since 1963. The city's mayor, LaToya Cantrell, described the storm as "unprecedented," noting that major transportation routes, including the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, have been shut down.

The storm has moved eastward, bringing snow to Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Georgia Emergency Management Director James Stallings confirmed a hypothermia-related death in the state, underscoring the life-threatening nature of the cold snap. Officials in Georgia and Alabama warned of frozen pipes and other infrastructure challenges, urging residents to prepare for worsening conditions.

New Orleans and Baton Rouge are among the cities experiencing rare snowfalls. Baton Rouge could see accumulations of up to 6 inches, while parts of the Florida Panhandle are bracing for 2 to 4 inches of snow. State and local officials are emphasizing safety measures and urging residents to avoid travel and stay indoors whenever possible.

Savannah, Georgia, is also bracing for snow, a rare event for the coastal city. Mayor Van Johnson reflected on the region's unpreparedness for such weather, stating, "We can do hurricanes and tropical storms, alright? We don't do cold and we don't do ice well. If you don't have to go outside, don't. Stay home."

With schools closed across multiple states and airlines canceling thousands of flights, the storm is leaving a wide swath of disruption in its wake. Snowfall is expected to taper off by Wednesday morning, but rain will likely continue in Florida, further complicating recovery efforts.