A rare winter storm charging through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday has closed highways and airports and prompted the first blizzard warning for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

Around 40 million people in the U.S. are under a winter storm warning from an unusual blast of severe cold weather and snow across the South.

BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas' industrial facilities are gradually returning to normal operations following the recent winter storm. Most of the 22 plants that shut down during the storm on Tuesday are now restarting their operations, with some expected accompanying noise and flaring, according to Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick.