East Coast Braces for Winter Storm 'Goliath'

The deadly storm system responsible for much of the country's severe weather over the last few days is continuing to head east.

Parts of 12 states are under winter storm warnings, from eastern Kansas to New England. The first snow falls of the season is bringing an end to an unusually warm December.

Highway crews say they hope the warm temperatures of the past several days will make snow cleanup easier.

"The pavement temperatures will be up, so it's less likely that the snow is going to stick quickly," Joe Bucci, with the Rhode Island Dept. of Transportation, said.

The weather out West gave a preview of whats to come as winter storm "Goliath" slams into the East Coast: high winds, icy roads and lots of flight cancelations.

More than 2,800 flights across the United States have been canceled and about 4,800 have been delayed due to the large storm system.

In Texas, residents are still cleaning up from snow in some areas and tornadoes in others.

Operation Blessing teams are working with churches and local emergency crews in two of the areas hit hardest: Rowlett and Garland, Texas.

"It's heartbreaking to see this community in this situation that occured just one day after Christmas," said Raymond McGregor, Operation Blessing Deputy Director of US Disaster Relief. "Operation Blessing is here to help these families begin to recover."

"Over the next few days we're going to be meeting with the residents, the local emergency management, and the local pastors to find out what the greatest needs are and begin bringing resources in to meet those needs," he said.

At least 11 people were killled in the tornadoes in Texas and officials estimate close to 1,500 homes were destroyed.

Meanwhille, the Arkansas-based country rock band Backroad Anthem is asking for prayer after lead singer, Craig Strickland, went missing after duck hunting in the storm on a lake in northern Oklahoma.

The body of his friend, Chase Moreland was found Monday along with the boat.

In a Facebook post before heading out onto the river Moreland posted, "In case we don't come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through winter storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma."

Backroad Anthem said on its Facebook page that the band members were "hoping against the odds" and "trying to think of a scenario where (Strickland) is still alive."