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US snowstorm: Millions in path of huge blizzard US snowstorm: Millions in path of huge blizzard
(35 minutes later)
A huge blizzard has begun to hit the US east coast and is expected to dump near-record levels of snow from Washington to New York.A huge blizzard has begun to hit the US east coast and is expected to dump near-record levels of snow from Washington to New York.
More than 50 million people have been warned a "potentially paralysing storm" will drop 24in (60cm) of snow in hours. More than 50 million people have been warned a "potentially paralysing storm" will drop up to 30ins (76cm) of snow in hours.
Southern states are already blanketed under 8ins and snow began falling in the nation's capital at lunchtime.Southern states are already blanketed under 8ins and snow began falling in the nation's capital at lunchtime.
Thousands of flights have been cancelled in anticipation of the two-day storm. Thousands of flights have been cancelled and people told to stay home.
The weather system affects a huge swath of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east. The weather system affects a huge swath of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east, with eight people killed so far.
Eight people have been killed in car crashes in Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky and elsewhere.
A rush for supplies led to long queues and empty shelves at supermarkets.A rush for supplies led to long queues and empty shelves at supermarkets.
How to prepare for a snowstormHow to prepare for a snowstorm
In Washington, which is expected to be worst-hit, Mayor Muriel Bowser warned residents of winds up to 50mph (80km/h) with the possibility of thundersnow. Washington is expected to be worst-hit. Mayor Muriel Bowser warned residents of 30ins of snow - that would beat the city's record of 28in (71cm) that fell during a two-day period in 1922.
"I want to be very clear with everybody, we see this as a major storm. It has life and death implications," she said."I want to be very clear with everybody, we see this as a major storm. It has life and death implications," she said.
Live video: your questions
The snow has started to fall in Washington, and the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan is answering your questions live on Facebook.
Click here to view and ask your own question
In summary:In summary:
Why do so many people die shovelling snow?Why do so many people die shovelling snow?
10 weird things Americans are doing in the snow10 weird things Americans are doing in the snow
High winds could compound problems, with 30mph (50km/h) winds forecast for Manhattan on Saturday, and even stronger gusts in Washington and Baltimore.High winds could compound problems, with 30mph (50km/h) winds forecast for Manhattan on Saturday, and even stronger gusts in Washington and Baltimore.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to be ready.New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to be ready.
"We're bracing for the first big storm of the winter. I want to let my fellow New Yorkers know we're prepared, the agencies here are ready for what's coming up ahead," he said."We're bracing for the first big storm of the winter. I want to let my fellow New Yorkers know we're prepared, the agencies here are ready for what's coming up ahead," he said.
Facing criticism for saying he would be staying on the presidential campaign trail, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reversed course, tweeting, "I'm sorry, [New Hampshire] but I gotta go home - we got snow coming."Facing criticism for saying he would be staying on the presidential campaign trail, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reversed course, tweeting, "I'm sorry, [New Hampshire] but I gotta go home - we got snow coming."
National Weather Service director Louis Uccellini said the system had "the potential of being an extremely dangerous storm that could affect over 50 million people".National Weather Service director Louis Uccellini said the system had "the potential of being an extremely dangerous storm that could affect over 50 million people".
He added: "We are talking about a potentially paralysing storm that is already setting up."He added: "We are talking about a potentially paralysing storm that is already setting up."
The record snowfall for Washington is 28in (71cm) that fell during a two-day period in January 1922.
Boston, which bore the brunt of repeated snowstorms last year, is expected to escape relatively lightly this time, with just a few inches.Boston, which bore the brunt of repeated snowstorms last year, is expected to escape relatively lightly this time, with just a few inches.
A light dusting of snow on Wednesday night caused gridlock in Washington, raising fears about what lies ahead.
Routine commutes lasted up to three hours and some people abandoned their cars, after an inch fell - a fraction of what is expected on Friday and Saturday.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted an apology and even President Barack Obama's motorcade got snarled up in it, spending an hour and 12 minutes on 15-mile (24km) journey from Andrews Air Force Base to the White House.
Do you live on the US east coast? How are you preparing for the blizzard? Or do you live somewhere else in the world that receives a lot of snow? If so, how do you prepare? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.Do you live on the US east coast? How are you preparing for the blizzard? Or do you live somewhere else in the world that receives a lot of snow? If so, how do you prepare? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.
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