India, March 4 -- A huge winter storm on Tuesday swept across the central U.S., bringing with it severe winds, rain, and snow, disrupting Mardi Gras Day celebrations in New Orleans and causing power cuts in several places.

The officials issued severe weather advisories for tens of millions of people. The alert ranged from blizzard warnings throughout the northern Plains region to threats of tornadoes, thunderstorms, and fires in the South.

Southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas were reportedly hit with hurricane-force winds, triggering red flag warnings throughout the drought-stricken area. In Texas, more than 400,000 homes and businesses suffered significant power disruptions as a result of the winds. Ahead of the storm, New Orle...