Snow and sleet from Texas to the Deep South and Outer Banks caused ice buildup in cities like New Orleans, Atlanta, and Jacksonville.

At least three deaths were attributed to the cold as dangerous below-freezing temperatures with even colder wind chills settled in.

A rare winter storm churned across the U.S. Gulf Coast on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow, ice and wind gusts to a region where flurries are unusual, while much of the United States remained in a deep freeze.