Anusha Mathur

The winter storm is pummeling homes and infrastructure with hazardous snow and ice.

States including Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana report widespread power outages.

Freezing rain is the culprit.

It creates a layer of ice on power lines and tree limbs, causing them to snap and fall.

National Weather Service forecaster Corey Chaskolson says freezing rain is also dangerous to drivers.

Hundreds of crashes have been reported across the region.

Anusha Mathur, NPR News.