A major winter storm that slammed Texas and the northern Gulf Coast is spreading heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across parts of the Florida panhandle and eastern Carolinas.

All traffic is being stopped at Pine Ridge Road and San Carlos Boulevard ... The Category 2 storm is expected to bring 3-to-5 feet of storm surge to Fort Myers Beach later today.

The National Weather Service forecasts that the coastal Horry area may get freezing temperatures and possible wintry ...