New Orleans, Louisiana: Snow falls on Chartres Street in the French Quarter.
Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
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Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
A rare winter storm grips the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Heavy snow, sleet and ice are making travel conditions hazardous across the region, stretching from Houston to the Florida Panhandle.
The governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida have all declared states of emergency as snow begins to accumulate in places where it is rarely seen.
A thick blanket covers New Orleans’ French Quarter and blizzard warnings have been issued in Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana. This state has closed bridges and major sections of Interstate 10.
Authorities in the southern Gulf are urging people to shelter in place and prepare for possible power and water outages.
With icy airport runways and limited visibility, thousands of flights have been canceled. Schools and colleges are closed.
Forecasters are predicting historic snowfall for much of the region.
We take a look.
Houston, Texas: A hotel worker clears icy snow from the sidewalk on January 21.
Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
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Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Houston, Texas: Pedestrians walk through snow in Buffalo Bayou during a winter storm on Tuesday, January 21.
Mark Félix/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Mark Félix/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Houston, Texas: Workers clear snow from roads at the closed George Bush Intercontinental Airport on January 21.
David J. Phillip/AP
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David J. Phillip/AP
Houston, Texas: Jackie Hernandez, left, and Jakob Patino, right, walk their dogs near downtown as Winter Storm Enzo brings heavy bands of snow and sleet.
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Danielle Villasana/Getty Images
Austin, Texas: Snow covers the ground in south Austin early on January 21.
Deborah Cannon/KUT News
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Deborah Cannon/KUT News
Houston, Texas: Vivian West goes sledding along the hills of Eleanor Tinsley Park as Winter Storm Enzo brings heavy bands of snow and sleet on January 21.
Danielle Villasana/Getty Images
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Danielle Villasana/Getty Images
New Orleans, Louisiana: Statues are covered in snow inside New Orleans Musical Legends Park on Bourbon Street on January 21.
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Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
Macon, Georgia: Earnestine Wilson and her daughter Anayla, 7, enjoy the first snowfall on January 21. “She’s having fun!” said his mother.
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Blankenship/GPB Grant
Houston, Texas: Cars drive on a snowy highway on Tuesday, January 21.
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David J. Phillip/AP
Houston, Texas: A woman rides her bike along Buffalo Bayou in Eleanor Tinsley Park as Winter Storm Enzo brings heavy bands of snow and sleet on January 21.
Danielle Villasana/Getty Images
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Danielle Villasana/Getty Images
Austin, Texas: Snow covers the ground in south Austin early on January 21.
Deborah Cannon/KUT News
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Deborah Cannon/KUT News
Houston, Texas: Abbie Schuh and her 8-year-old daughter Louise Delisio are covered in snow as they sled down a hill in Herman Park on January 21.
Ashley Landis/AP
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Ashley Landis/AP
Austin, Texas: A small snowman sits on a picnic table as snow covers the ground in south Austin on January 21.
Deborah Cannon/KUT News
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Deborah Cannon/KUT News
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