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

HOUSTON - A rare winter storm churned across the US Gulf Coast on Jan 21, bringing heavy snow, ice and wind gusts to a region where flurries are unusual, while much of the United States remained in a dangerous deep freeze.