More than 35 million people on alert for the first major winter storm of the year

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent an alert to citizens to prepare for the storm that will mainly affect the eastern part of the country.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent an alert to citizens to prepare for the first major winter storm of the year. More than 35 million people will receive strong winds, snowfall, and rain this weekend in their states:

FEMA is currently monitoring the northeast storm, or northeastern system, as it heads toward the East Coast. Regions 1, 2 and 3 are in contact with their regional colleagues ahead of the storm. While the current winter storm is on its way with possible heavy snowfall and dangerous ice for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this weekend, FEMA urges all communities to prepare for this winter season as other storms are expected to follow.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an alert for the Carolinas, New York, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Maine warning of hazardous travel conditions. Warning levels have already dropped for New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma.

The NWS also released a statement warning about "freezing rains" that would hit the northeast of the country. Likewise, it foresees "areas of heavy rain with possible flash flooding and severe thunderstorms for the Gulf Coast and Florida." He also revealed:

The Pacific storm system will bring heavy mountain snow, strong winds and coastal rain to the West this weekend... An upper disturbance centered over the Great Lakes will favor a winter storm in the eastern third of the country this weekend. Expect heavy snow in inland parts of the northern Mid-Atlantic to New England this afternoon until Sunday.

According to the release, "the combination of heavy, wet snow and gusty winds from northeastern Pennsylvania across much of southern and central New England will result in a difficult commute with some power outages and tree damage." The storm is expected to last until Monday and Tuesday.