STORY: A once in a century winter storm is churning its way across the U.S. Gulf Coast, where snow flurries are rare.The National Weather Service said 31 million people were under a snowstorm warning on Tuesday - from southern Texas east through Georgia and north to the Carolinas and into Virginia.

A major winter storm slammed the southern US Tuesday, blanketing parts of the Gulf Coast with record-breaking snowfall in a region largely unaccustomed to extreme winter weather.

A snowstorm warning was in effect for 31 million people - from southern Texas east through Georgia and north to the Carolinas and into Virginia

The snow storm could hit over a dozen states through Wednesday, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

A winter storm prompted a National Weather Service office in Louisiana to issue a first-ever blizzard warning. The storm is causing dangerous conditions from Texas to North Carolina.

Florida just saw the most snow on record, with a preliminary 8.8 inches observed in Milton, which is north of Pensacola.

Snow and sleet started falling in Texas as officials begin to close schools and airports. Snow and ice could bring major travel disruptions and power outages from Texas to Florida.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already embraced the change. He cited the new name in an executive order earlier this week attributing inclement winter weather to a “low pressure moving across the Gulf of America.

At least 10 people have died. Officials warned that arctic cold will persist for another day, and roads could remain dangerous. Still, many Southerners found joy in the rare experience.

Feeding Northeast Florida has shared its response to the ongoing winter storms and how it plans on still operating for the community.