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Use caution on sidewalks and stairs.
Monitor local weather updates closely.
Experts also remind people to check on elderly neighbors, vulnerable individuals, and anyone who may struggle with heating or transportation during severe winter weather.
Pet owners are being advised to limit outdoor exposure during icy conditions as freezing rain can create painful ice buildup on paws and dangerously cold surfaces.
Utility crews remain on standby in several regions in case widespread outages develop overnight.
Meanwhile, social media has already filled with dramatic photos and videos showing vehicles coated in ice, frozen roads, icy windshields, and dangerous travel conditions as the storm intensifies.
Forecasters say the next several hours could be critical as temperatures hover near freezing in many locations, allowing additional ice accumulation to build rapidly.
Officials continue urging the public not to underestimate the storm simply because it appears to be “just rain.”
In winter weather events, freezing rain is often considered one of the most dangerous