"US Braces for Major Thaw After Ice Storm Hits"

An ice storm is causing travel disruptions in eleven states from Texas to Michigan, with warnings issued in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. The storm is forecast to bring freezing rain, sleet, and heavy rain to several interstates, with icy conditions expected to continue into the evening for cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Cleveland. After the ice storm, heavy rain is expected in the South, potentially leading to flash flooding and severe weather. Meanwhile, the West Coast is bracing for heavy rain and snow, while temperatures are expected to rise well above normal from Kansas to New York as arctic air departs.