customers to be in the dark tomorrow. an army of snowplows and salt spreaders ready for battle. this is one of mother nature s worst kinds of storms that can be inflicted on the south, and that is ice. it is our biggest enemy. reporter: an enemy, officials say, will bear down overnight, coating parts of six states in a dangerous, slippy glaze. experts say the ice could be historic and crippling. now is the time to prepare for this winter storm. reporter: the official warnings reached cell phones and answering machines, urging people to take action. we are getting a little gas in case we lose power so we can fire up the generator. reporter: from dallas to charlotte, residents preparing to be trapped at home for days. mobs of shoppers cleared store shelves of bread, milk and rock salt. our goal is to be overprepared and hopefully underwhel underwhelmed. reporter: heeding the advice,