230 million Americans will face a crippling winter onslaught this weekend.

From Texas towers to Maine’s coastline, Winter Storm Fern will blanket more than half the nation in snow, sleet and, worst of all, freezing rain.

Dallas will start under heavy snow, slam into freezing rain, then revert to another round of snow.

Nashville will be pummeled by sleet and ice before ending in a fresh snowfall.

Washington D.C. will drown in heavy snow, transition to sleet, then endure a freezing-rain siege before a brutal cold front moves in.

Every zone under this storm will see ice—and ice is the most lethal form of precipitation.

An inch of ice on a power line adds 2,250 pounds of stress. Two inches will crush trees and bring down poles.

Just a quarter-inch of ice can knock out entire neighborhoods. Half an inch guarantees county-wide blackouts.

Once ice exceeds one inch, utility crews face days—or even weeks—of restoration work.

An Arctic front follows Fern. In the Deep South, thaw won’t begin until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Friday is too late. Americans must secure generators, gas grills and firewood today.

Stock up on blankets, fill hot-water bottles and check on elderly and disabled neighbors without delay.

This storm will test our infrastructure and our resolve. Preparedness now will save lives.

There is no substitute for self-reliance. Act before the first flake falls.