More than a foot of snow is expected in parts of Michigan and Wisconsin, forecasters said. Severe weather, with the possibility of tornadoes, will sweep states from Mississippi to the Carolinas.
Gusty winds ripped through the Florida Panhandle, downing power lines and trees. Tornado warnings were in place for parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia on Tuesday.
The state was mobilizing resources ahead of the storm, which could be a Category 2 hurricane with winds of up to 90 miles per hour when it reaches western Florida, officials said.
At least two others were injured, the authorities said. The damage came a day after a tornado destroyed buildings and left several injured in Arkansas.