Shelves were cleared as Alabama residents rushed to stock up ahead of a snowstorm.

Footage captured by storm chaser Rob shows him at a Walmart store in Athens on Wednesday, January 21, emphasising the emptied store aisles.

Rob said: 'Absolute chaos at Walmart! Shelves are wiped out of eggs, bologna, meat, and bread, and winter clothing is almost gone.

'No propane left in town, and cooking options are running thin. Despite the uncertainty of the ice storm ahead, people are still panic-buying. Stay safe, folks.'

Authorities issued warnings about health risks and power outages as a rare winter storm swept across parts of the southern and eastern United States.

The National Weather Service said on Tuesday: 'A bitterly cold airmass will remain in place for much of the South and eastern US over the next couple of days.'

Local media reported that at least 29 people have been killed across the country due to the storm. Since Friday, more than 20,000 flights have been cancelled as a result of the freak weather.