An unusual winter storm is wreaking havoc across the Gulf Coast, dumping snow in places that rarely see it and causing chaos for residents. “This is the most snow I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been here since 1970,” said George Card, 76, as he swept snow off his porch in Houston. “It’s coming down serious.” The storm, which began overnight, has already shut down a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 10 near New Orleans. Forecasters predict Houston could see four to six inches of snow, while parts of south Louisiana might get up to 10 inches. Lafayette, La., has already been blanketed with two inches, with more on the way. Experts are urging people to stay off the roads. “Early morning commutes could be extremely dangerous,” warned Bradley Brokamp, a meteorologist. This is the most significant winter event Houston has experienced since at least 1960, with blizzard warnings in effect for parts of Texas and Louisiana until noon Tuesday. The storm is part of a larger Arctic blast sweeping the country, bringing freezing temperatures and wind chills as low as minus 55 degrees in some areas. In the Southeast, cities like New Orleans and Houston have shut down public transit and opened warming centers. Schools across the region are closed, and thousands of flights have been canceled. Louisiana officials are bracing for snowfall totals not seen since the 1960s. “So many of you have never seen an event like this,” said Jay Grymes, the state climatologist. Residents are being asked to prepare for bitter cold, wrap their pipes, and let faucets drip to prevent freezing. In Houston, the streets are unusually quiet, with snow transforming the city into a Gulf Coast ski town. “We’re preparing for it like it’s a hurricane,” said Toni Smith, a Waffle House manager in Alabama, as the storm moves east toward Georgia and the Carolinas. Stay safe, stay warm, and maybe take this chance to cook a big pot of gumbo—just as Louisiana’s governor suggested. ---