Winter storm dumps snow, ice on South, some 3,000 flights canceled

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- More than 250,000 people across the South were without power early Tuesday and some 3,000 flights were canceled after snow and ice pummeled some areas.

Ice glazed over Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia, knocking down power lines and causing mayhem for morning commuters who braved the weather. For two straight days, officials have urged residents to stay home and off the roads.

"This is not something we deal with regularly in the South, but we will get through this," Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. "I think there's light at the end of the tunnel, but for the next few days, this is going to be a long week."

As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, some 22 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, from Mississippi to Virginia. Ice storm warnings were in effect in Tennessee and South Carolina.The Washington, D.C. area was under a snow emergency, and New York, New Jersey and the Boston area are expected to see yet more snowfall today.

#Ice is still threatening the Carolinas! We'll prep you for your commute on #AMHQ @WeatherChannel​ starting 7amET. pic.twitter.com/exoj1zefsr

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— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 17, 2015

DC Snow Emergency Goes Into Effect at 7 am on Tuesday, February 17 For more info. See Attached. /7066 pic.twitter.com/qqwkoXt4uK

— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) February 17, 2015