A rare winter storm brings historic snowfall from Texas to Florida: Photo Show: NPR

New Orleans, Louisiana: Snow falls on Chartres Street in the French Quarter. Michael Demock/Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Michael Demock/Getty Images

A rare winter storm is sweeping across the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Heavy snow, sleet and ice are making travel conditions hazardous throughout an area stretching from Houston to the Florida Panhandle.

The governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida all declared states of emergency as snow began to accumulate in rare places.

Thick coats blanketed New Orleans' French Quarter, and blizzard warnings were issued for Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana. The state has closed bridges and major sections of Interstate 10.

Officials in the southern Gulf region urged people to shelter in place and prepare for possible power and water outages.

Thousands of flights were canceled due to icy runways and limited visibility. Schools and colleges are closed.

Forecasters predict record snowfall levels across much of the region.

Let's take a look.

Houston, Texas: A hotel worker shovels snow and ice from a sidewalk on January 21. Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Houston, Texas: Pedestrians walk through snow in Buffalo Bayou during a winter storm on Tuesday, January 21. Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Houston, Texas: Workers clear snow from roads at the closed George Bush Intercontinental Airport on January 21. David J. Philip/Associated Press hide title

Switch title
David J. Philip/Associated Press

Houston, Texas: Jackie Hernandez (left) and Jacob Patino (right) walk their dogs near downtown as Winter Storm Enzo brings heavy snow and sleet. Danielle Villasana/Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

Austin, Texas: Heavy snow covered the ground in south Austin early on January 21st. Deborah Cannon/KUT News hide title

Switch title
Deborah Cannon/KUT News

Houston, Texas: Vivian West walks along Eleanor Tinsley Park as Winter Storm Enzo brings heavy snow and sleet on January 21 slopes for skiing. Danielle Villasana/Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

New Orleans, Louisiana: The statue at New Orleans Music Legends Park on Bourbon Street is covered with snow on January 21. Michael Demock/Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Michael Demock/Getty Images

Macon, Georgia: Earnestine Wilson and her 7-year-old daughter Anayla enjoy the first snow on January 21. "She had so much fun!" her mother said. Grant Blankenship/GPB hide title

Switch title
Grant Blankenship/GPB

Houston, Texas: Cars drive on a snow-covered highway on Tuesday, January 21st. David J. Philip/Associated Press hide title

Switch title
David J. Philip/Associated Press

Houston, Texas: A woman rides her bicycle along the Buffalo Bayou in Eleanor Tinsley Park on January 21 as Winter Storm Enzo brings heavy snow and sleet. Danielle Villasana/Getty Images hide title

Switch title
Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

Austin, Texas: Heavy snow covered the ground in south Austin early on January 21st. Deborah Cannon/KUT News hide title

Switch title
Deborah Cannon/KUT News

Houston, Texas: Abbie Schuh and her 8-year-old daughter Louise Delisio skated on a hill in Herman Park on January 21 Covered in snow while sledding. Ashley Landis/AP hide title

Switch title
Ashley Landis/AP

Austin, Texas: On January 21, in south Austin, snowflakes fell on the ground and a small snowman sat on a picnic table. Deborah Cannon/KUT News hide title

Switch title
Deborah Cannon/KUT News