The brutal weather gobbled up travelers trying to make their way on snow-choked roadways and snarled air traffic, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights again on Wednesday.
Chicago is at the epicenter of the storm, receiving a record-breaking 13.6 inches of snow at O'Hare International Airport Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The total not only breaks the previous record of 4.0 inches for that date -- set back on February 1, 1967 -- but it also establishes a new all-time record daily snowfall for the month of February for the city.
The previous calendar day snowfall record for Chicago for February was 11.5 inches, set on February 18, 1908.
The National Weather Service in the Windy City is asking residents not to travel unless "absolutely necessary."
Air travel was just as difficult across the region.
More than 1,300 flights were canceled on Tuesday said Karen Pride, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Aviation.
"This is not a good time to be on the road," Missouri highway department official Don Hillis said. "Almost all of the state is covered with snow and some areas are receiving ice, making some roads impassable."
As the storm approached, governments vowed they would be ready for what was being described as a storm of historic proportions.
Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Kansas declared states of emergency so they could bring extra resources to bear. Missouri mobilized 600 National Guard troops to help cope with the storm. Illinois put 500 troops on notice that they might be needed as the storm intensifies. Iowa also activated some guard members.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe declared a state of emergency and activated National Guard troops to help move supplies to the northwestern portion of the state, where power outages are expected as snow, ice and high winds move in.
Warming centers set up by the Salvation Army were running and busy in Fayetteville and Bentonville, according to CNN affiliate KFTA.
"We are known for wild weather swings in Arkansas, but to have snow, ice and severe thunderstorms in the same day is rare," Beebe said.
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