The worst winter storm in decades dumped record levels of snow and ice across thousands of miles of the nation.

Some cities even ran out of places to put the snow as it was removed from streets and sidewalks.

Click play for AccuWeather Chief Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Bastardi's forecast on the cold weather, following the report. 

One Chicago first responder said everything appeared to be frozen in time.

It was an epic storm of the type that experts said only happens every 50 years. It brought snow, ice, and rain across 2,000 miles of the country from Texas to New England. It also brought some communities to their knees.

The storm hit the Midwest right at rush hour.

In Chicago, 60 mile-per-hour winds howled as more than 20 inches of snow fell, the third largest amount on record. Thunder roared overhead as lightening lit up the eerie gray sky.

"Everybody was just trying to stay huddled in their car," said Reid Frye, a stranded motorist.

On Lake Shore Drive, cars were stranded as far as the eye could see.

"It was a bit disastrous so we were stuck in there nine hours or so," said Carolann Treacy, who was stranded on a bus.

Firefighters on snowmobiles rescued hundreds of motorists.

Instead of snow, some communities were dealing with digging out from under a coating of ice one inch thick.

The weight of the snow and ice caused some roofs to cave in. Part of the roof that covers the stands at Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs, was damaged by extreme winds.

Twelve deaths have been blamed on the storm.

Utility crews worked overtime to restore power to thousands of customers in Ohio, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Some residents have sought warmth in shelters.

This winter has brought far more snow than normal in the Northeast. New York's Central Park usually gets 22 inches of snow, but so far this year, 56 inches have already fallen there.