begin canceling flights ahead of the storm. nbc s emilie ikeda has the latest reporter: tonight, more than 60 million people are bracing for a dangerous winter storm barreling up the east coast from south carolina to maine. this has the potential to be an historic storm a huge one reporter: last minute shoppers are stocking up for what is looking to be a potentially catastrophic event i know in three hours this place will be completely empty, like nothing left. so, i m stocking up. i m not planning to go out. reporter: this stretch under blizzard warnings for the first time in four years governors pleading with residents to stay inside be prepared to hunker down once you get home this afternoon and stay home reporter: several have declared states of emergency ahead of the expected hurricane-force winds, whiteout conditions, and flooding in coastal towns like scituate, massachusetts, a community that could get slammed with two feet of snow kathy park is there. the ocean su