Widespread power outages persist, while downed power lines, fallen power poles and a huge number of downed trees are all covered in thick ice.

Residents in the most severely affected areas are being encouraged not to travel unless necessary and to watch for downed wires and work crews.

Large swaths of Northern Michigan are without power as the second day of icy weather downs power lines, tree branches and creates hazardous driving conditions.

On the north side of this strong storm system, wintry precipitation continues to plague parts of the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and New England. Winter alerts remain in effect for 9 million people, including in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Marquette, Michigan; Burlington, Vermont; and Portland, Maine.

Severe storms are expected to hit the Midwest and South regions of the United States on Sunday (March 30), according to the National Weather Service. Up to 73 million people in the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys face warnings for thunderstorms,