Several states unaccustomed to harsh winter weather were hit by the Christmas and New Year's storms. Many Texas households are among those without power this week, and snow caused a total of 700 traffic accidents in the northern part of the state. Shreveport, La., got four inches of snow, the most that city has seen in 15 years. Florida farmers continue to struggle with freezing temperatures that threaten to destroy fruit and vegetable crops. Ice-covered cars and dangerous roads left many families trapped at home during the holiday week.
Emergency shelters are open throughout the South for families without power or water.
In Arkansas alone, the American Red Cross opened 24 shelters and provided thousands of drinks, meals and snacks for storm victims, including travelers stranded when interstates were closed. More than a dozen shelters are open in Oklahoma, according to Michelann Ooten, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma emergency management department. We want them to go to a place where there is a hot meal and a warm place to stay.