Across the U.S., a sprawling winter storm brings snow, ice and tornadoes

Judy Woodruff:

Here in the United States, much of the nation is feeling the full weight of winter tonight. Millions of people from the Southwest to New England are facing snow, ice and even tornadoes.

Nicole Ellis has our report.

Nicole Ellis:

Crews and residents across the Midwest are digging their way out as a sprawling winter storm pushes farther across the country.

Some places have reported over a foot of snow, creating dangerous driving conditions in several states. Air travel has also been disrupted. More than 4,000 flights were canceled today alone. Many other flights have been delayed.

Alejandro Esquino, Traveler:

I got stuck for three hours on, like, an American Airlines flight so like while we were on the ground. Please, please, no. Like, that was a terrible experience I would never want to repeat.

Nicole Ellis:

The extreme weather also knocked out power for at least 200,000 homes and businesses, mostly in Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas.

The storm runs the gamut of precipitation, snow, rain, sleet, and a combination of all three. According to this National Weather Service map, an intrepid motorist could drive all the way from Maine to Texas and still be within the storm's grasp.

In Austin, Texas today, Governor Greg Abbott said that mix of ice, freezing rain and wind are particularly difficult.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX):

We are dealing with one of the most significant icing events that we have had in the state of Texas in at least several decades.

Nicole Ellis:

He also said the state is much better prepared than it was for last year's week-long storm. It rocked the electrical grid and triggered widespread blackouts.

More than four million were without power and more than 200 people died, many of them from hypothermia. The reliability and the maintenance of the state's electrical grid and the governor's record on that was at the center of heavy criticism.

Gov. Greg Abbott:

As compared to last year, Texas has about 15 percent more power generation capacity. There is also more reserve power available than last year.

Nicole Ellis:

Even so, tens of thousands of Texans have lost power from this storm.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Nicole Ellis.