Historic snowstorm hitting the South from Texas to Florida

(NEW YORK) — The first-ever blizzard warning has been issued for parts of Texas and Louisiana as a historic snowstorm begins in the Gulf Coast and then pushes east across the South.

Over 7 inches of snow has been reported in Lafayette, Louisiana, and more than 5 inches of snow was reported near Beaumont, Texas — the most snow Beaumont has seen in more than 100 years.

Authorities in Zavala County, Texas, said several people were killed in a major accident on slippery roads.

In Austin, Texas, county officials said they’ve responded to more than a dozen cold exposure calls, “including two fatal incidents.” 

One hypothermia-related death was also reported in Georgia, according to James Stallings, the director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

Debilitating travel conditions are possible throughout the South.

Houston’s airports are closed and over 2,000 flights are canceled across the U.S.

The Louisiana State Police said it’s responded to more than 50 crashes on Tuesday and is urging everyone to stay home.

In three Alabama counties, officials warned that all roads are impassible.

On Tuesday morning, the snow is underway from Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. By midday, the snow will leave the Houston area and push east, continuing across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and into Georgia and the Carolinas.

By the evening, the snow will be ending in Alabama and still hitting Tallahassee, Florida; Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina.

Blizzard-like whiteout conditions are being reported Tuesday morning around New Orleans, where residents are experiencing their biggest snowfall since 1963.

Most airlines at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport have canceled flights.

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, which spans Lake Pontchartrain outside of New Orleans, has been closed.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, may get 3 to 6 inches of snow and the Florida Panhandle may see 2 to 4 inches.

Parts of northern Georgia, including the Atlanta area, could see up to 2 inches of snow, state meteorologist Will Lanxton said.

Georgia officials warned that water pipes underground could freeze and burst.

Schools are closed from Houston to New Orleans to Savannah, Georgia.

“Our reality is this, we can do hurricanes and tropical storms, alright? We don’t do cold and we don’t do ice well,” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said Monday. “If you don’t have to go outside, don’t. Stay home.”

The snow will be done by sunrise Wednesday.

ABC News’ Alex Faul contributed to this report.

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