As millions of Americans hunker down for the winter storm, at least 23 states and Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency.

A fierce winter storm swept into the West on Friday with freezing rain and snow, while a blast of polar air helped send temperatures plunging as low as minus 58 degrees in the Northern Plains.

A powerful winter storm is peaking as it moves east, battering the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast with blizzard conditions, damaging ice, widespread power outages and major travel disruptions.