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US snowstorm: Massive US blizzard advances north US snowstorm: Massive US blizzard advances north
(about 1 hour later)
A massive blizzard bringing more than 2ft (60cm) of snow and punishing winds is advancing up the US East Coast.A massive blizzard bringing more than 2ft (60cm) of snow and punishing winds is advancing up the US East Coast.
More than 50 million people across more than a dozen states have been warned to stay at home as it moves north.More than 50 million people across more than a dozen states have been warned to stay at home as it moves north.
The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday.The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday.
Eight people have been killed, six states have declared states of emergency, and thousands of flights have been cancelled.Eight people have been killed, six states have declared states of emergency, and thousands of flights have been cancelled.
The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.
Supermarkets ran out of food amid a rush for supplies before the first snowflakes fell on Friday.Supermarkets ran out of food amid a rush for supplies before the first snowflakes fell on Friday.
How to prepare for a snowstormHow to prepare for a snowstorm
In summary:In summary:
Washington's mayor, Muriel Bowser, said this was a major storm with "life and death implications".Washington's mayor, Muriel Bowser, said this was a major storm with "life and death implications".
On Friday afternoon, as the first snow fell in Washington, the National Weather Service said it could be one of the worst storms in the city's history. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the worst of the snow would fall in the Washington area from the early hours of Saturday to the early afternoon, with winds of more than 50mph (80kph).
It says winds of more than 50mph (80kph) coupled with heavy snow could cause possible power outages and create large snowdrifts. In a warning at 02:17 (07:17 GMT), NWS tweeted that an "intense snow band" was moving through the area.
A webcam of Washington's National Mall showed the "near-whiteout conditions" the NWS warned of.
Residents in the capital and surrounding suburbs in Virginia and Maryland have been warned the snowfall could eclipse the district's record of 28in that fell during a two-day period in 1922.Residents in the capital and surrounding suburbs in Virginia and Maryland have been warned the snowfall could eclipse the district's record of 28in that fell during a two-day period in 1922.
As the weather system approached the country's most populous city, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to be ready.As the weather system approached the country's most populous city, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to be ready.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican presidential candidate, returned from the campaign trail in New Hampshire to take charge of snow preparation.New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican presidential candidate, returned from the campaign trail in New Hampshire to take charge of snow preparation.
At the scene: Laura Bicker, BBC News, WashingtonAt the scene: Laura Bicker, BBC News, Washington
The US capital feels like a city in hiding. Residents have been told to find a safe place and stay there until the storm has passed. The streets are empty and restaurants, bars and supermarkets remain closed.The US capital feels like a city in hiding. Residents have been told to find a safe place and stay there until the storm has passed. The streets are empty and restaurants, bars and supermarkets remain closed.
Public transport is at a standstill and over 6,000 flights have been delayed or cancelled. Officials warned anyone trying to travel in the blizzard risks getting stuck for hours, marooned or killed.Public transport is at a standstill and over 6,000 flights have been delayed or cancelled. Officials warned anyone trying to travel in the blizzard risks getting stuck for hours, marooned or killed.
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
Catholics in Washington, Baltimore, and Delaware were told by archdiocese officials that missing Mass this Sunday was excusable given the terrible conditions.Catholics in Washington, Baltimore, and Delaware were told by archdiocese officials that missing Mass this Sunday was excusable given the terrible conditions.
Supermarket shelves in many areas were laid bare. In Baltimore, shopper Sharon Brewington remembered how she and her daughter were left with just noodles and water when the last big snowstorm struck in 2010.Supermarket shelves in many areas were laid bare. In Baltimore, shopper Sharon Brewington remembered how she and her daughter were left with just noodles and water when the last big snowstorm struck in 2010.
"I'm not going to make that mistake again," she said."I'm not going to make that mistake again," she said.
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". NWS director Louis Uccellini said the system had "the potential of being an extremely dangerous storm that could affect over 50 million people".
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.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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