Southerners Warned of Icy Mess in Days Ahead

JEFF MARTIN, Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Across the South, residents are stocking up on groceries, schools and offices have closed, and road crews are at the ready as a storm threatens to bring snow, ice and subzero temperatures to a region more accustomed to air conditioners and sunscreen than parkas and shovels.

Even with the timing and severity uncertain, officials from Texas to Virginia warned motorists to stay off the roads Tuesday.

Tourist destinations including Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans expect ice and snow over the next two days— rare in places that seldom see prolonged sub-freezing temperatures.

In eastern Mississippi, four people died when an early morning fire destroyed a mobile home. Investigators believe a space heater used to warm the nine people inside was to blame. Officials said the victims ranged in age from 3 months to 30 years.

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