ATLANTA (AP) — Millions of Americans from New Mexico to the Carolinas are bracing for a potentially catastrophic ice storm that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, while many northern states all the way to New England could see enough snow to make travel nearly impossible, forecasters say.
An estimated 100 million people were under some type of winter weather watch, warning or advisory on Wednesday ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service reported.
The storm is expected to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend. It is projected to bring heavy snow and various wintry precipitation, including freezing rain and sleet. An atmospheric river of moisture could impact Texas and other states along the Gulf Coast, moving through Georgia and the Carolinas, according to forecasters.
Here's a look at the approaching storm and how people are preparing for it, based on some key statistics:
0
The number of snowplows owned by Jackson, Mississippi, where a mix of ice and sleet is forecasted this weekend. The city depends on heavy machinery as alternatives for clearing roads.
0.5
The amount of ice, half an inch or 1.27 centimeters, that could lead to crippling power outages. Regions in need of preparation include parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee.
19
Parts of at least 19 states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia were under winter storm watches as of late Wednesday, affecting approximately 55 million people.
600
The number of miles added last year to snowplow routes in Nashville, Tennessee, aimed at covering neighborhoods previously unplowed.
Authorities encourage residents to prepare for potential power failures and hazardous travel conditions as the storm approaches.
