Guardsmen are assisting stranded motorists and more than 178,000 people are without power as snow and freezing rain pummel the area

In a video on Twitter, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp asked residents to stay home and off the roads for the remainder of Sunday night and Monday.

“Potential for black ice tonight with the temperatures dropping down into the 20s, so please stay off the roads tonight and tomorrow, if at all possible,” the governor said. “It’s going to be very treacherous in a lot of parts of our state.”

Kemp also said there is a very high potential for downed power lines.

“So, the less traffic we have on the roads the easier it is for our partners to clear the roads and restore power,” the governor said.

“Be safe, have a great holiday tomorrow,” Kemp said. 

Portions of Georgia remain under a winter storm warning and/or winter weather advisory. 

At least 2,987 flights within, into, or out of the United States have been cancelled Sunday, as a winter storm lashes the Eastern United States with snow, high winds, ice and rain, according to FlightAware.

In anticipation of winter weather in the state, Pennsylvania announced planned vehicle restrictions starting 3 p.m. ET Sunday, according to an announcement by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC).

Motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks and oversized vehicles are prohibited from entering certain roadways, and motorists are encouraged to avoid all travel during Sunday’s and Monday’s winter events if possible.

Read more about the restrictions here.

A portion of a major interstate in Tennessee is currently closed due to an overturned semi in Humphreys County, according to a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) spokesperson. 

“I-40 East closed due to an overturned semi in Humphreys Co. at the 136 mm. Wrecker is on scene to move the truck. The road is clear of snow but conditions are wet and could be slick. Take it slow out there,” TDOT spokeswoman Rebekah Hammonds said in a tweet.

Humphreys County is located about 65 miles west of Nashville on I-40.

I-40 is a major interstate traversing the entire state, from west to east. 

TDOT is actively out clearing roads, and they are asking residents to stay home.

“As snow continues to fall across several parts of the state, a reminder of the #myTDOT road clearing priorities. Stay home and stay safe while our crews clear these roads,” the TDOT tweet said. 

Portions of Tennessee are currently under a winter storm warning and/or winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service. 

The South Carolina National Guard has been activated to assist with the winter storm that is impacting the state.

According to a number of tweets from the South Carolina National Guard, they have been out assisting stranded motorists on roadways. 

Portions of South Carolina are under a winter storm warning and/or ice storm warning, according to the National Weather Service. 

The National Guard is staged with personnel and equipment throughout the Upstate region of South Carolina. 

“The safety of the citizens of South Carolina, and our service members, is a priority for the South Carolina National Guard and we are proud to be called on to support our neighbors,” said McCarty.

 “This is why the National Guard exists, to be prepared to respond to the needs of the state and nation.”

The Virginia State Police say they have responded to at least 142 traffic crashes and 162 disabled vehicles since midnight due to the ongoing winter storm.

“Pls stay off the roads. Since midnight (1/16) thru 12:45 PM (1/16), #VSP responded to 142 traffic crashes & 162 disabled vehicles. Few injuries. No deaths reported,” according to a tweet this afternoon from the Virginia State Police.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is also asking motorists to not travel during the storm. 

“We can’t stress this enough. Please avoid travel if at all possible during winter storms, especially when ice is present…,” VDOT said in a tweet.

Virginia is currently under a winter storm warning and/or a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is advising motorists traveling northbound on I-81 in Roanoke County to avoid the interstate due to a multi-vehicle crash blocking all lanes.

Authorities say there is only one minor injury and they are working to get traffic moving again.  

“#VSP on scene of multi-vehicle backup northbound #I81 #Roanoke County. Stuck vehicles. 2 crashes – 1 minor injury. Wreckers on scene to get traffic moving again. Detour in place @511southwestva. Pls avoid traveling I-81…,” according to the Virginia State Police. 

 Roanoke County is currently under a winter storm warning until 7 a.m. ET Monday. 

There are at least 278,960 customers across the Southeastern US that are without power as of 2:00 p.m. ET Sunday, according to PowerOutage.US.

Top Areas by Outages:

President Biden was briefed this morning on “extreme weather forecasts for today and their projected impacts,” a White House official said, as a major winter storm, including snow, freezing rain and ice is hitting a large portion of the eastern United States.

Over 80 million people are under winter weather alerts across the eastern United States today, from the South to New England.

Earlier today, the president and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to pack food boxes at anti-hunger nonprofit Philabundance ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service tomorrow. The President is now back at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. Back in Washington, flurries have started to fall at the White House.