A massive winter storm spanning 20 states could dump as much as 1½ feet of snow in some places Thursday and bring life to a standstill in parts of the central United States.

About 60 million people — 20% of the U.S. population — are under winter weather warnings, watches and advisories in the 750,000 square miles affected.

Dodge City, Kansas, “is in the middle of a bull’s eye,” said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers. The state should see 16 to 18 inches of snow west of Wichita, with the white stuff continuing up into Nebraska.

Missouri Gov. Jay NIxon declared a state of emergency. Snow, sleet and ice could wreak havoc, and parts of the state could see more than 10 inches of snow.

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Sly James also declared a state of emergency. There were 250 snow plows working to clear roads in the city, but residents were urged to limit travel.

Source: CNN – 60 million in path of winter storm