Southern states declare emergencies ahead of potentially historic snow, as cold temps chill 220m people

More than 220m people across the United States are facing dangerous cold that will also open the door for a potentially historic and crippling winter storm that could deliver snow as far south as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The storm, in combination with frigid air, will bring snowfall, freezing rain, icy roads and other major travel disruptions from late Monday into Wednesday morning in Southern cities from Texas to South Carolina where harsh winter weather is rare. The governors of Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi have declared states of emergency, while Texas authorities have directed state agencies to mobilize resources due to the threat of snow. Houston’s major airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport will be closed Tuesday. “I’ve been convinced that we are about to experience a very serious and dangerous weather episode,” John Whitmire, the mayor of Houston, said at a Sunday news conference. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, is pretreating roadways and airfield surfaces in preparation for the winter weather, according to spokesperson Andrew Gobeil. “The Emergency Operations Center will activate at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning and will remain operational throughout the event,” Gobeil said Monday. “Passengers are urged to arrive in the airport at least two and a half hours prior to domestic departure times unless otherwise directed by their airlines.”<br/>