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US snowstorm: East coast wakes up to mammoth snowfall US snowstorm: East coast struck by mammoth snowfall
(about 1 hour later)
Parts of the eastern United States have woken up to 46cm (18 inches) of snow after a huge blizzard swept across the region. Parts of the eastern United States have received more than two feet (71cm) of snow fall in a huge blizzard that is sweeping across the region.
Heavy snow began falling on Friday across more than 20 states, affecting some 85 million people.Heavy snow began falling on Friday across more than 20 states, affecting some 85 million people.
In Kentucky, where the heaviest snowfall was recorded, thousands of drivers were left stranded in a 35-mile (56km) traffic jam. In Kentucky, where some of the heaviest snowfall was recorded, thousands of drivers were left stranded in a 35-mile (56km) traffic jam.
At least nine people have died and emergencies declared in 10 states.At least nine people have died and emergencies declared in 10 states.
Tens of thousands of homes are without power.Tens of thousands of homes are without power.
The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday. In pictures: #snowmageddon2016
The heaviest snowfall recorded so far (up to 03:00 eastern time, 08:00 GMT) are:
What to do if it all goes wrongWhat to do if it all goes wrong
Why do so many people die shovelling snow?Why do so many people die shovelling snow?
The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday. At the White House, 13in (33cm) of snow fell overnight.
The heaviest snowfall recorded so far (up to 09:00 eastern time, 14:00 GMT) include:
The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Alabama in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.
In Kentucky, a huge traffic jam has started to clear in the past few hours, after thousands of drivers found themselves stranded on Interstate 75 overnight by heavy snow and a number of accidents.In Kentucky, a huge traffic jam has started to clear in the past few hours, after thousands of drivers found themselves stranded on Interstate 75 overnight by heavy snow and a number of accidents.
The Red Cross erected shelters along the highway and Kentucky State Police tweeted that officers were taking water, fuel and snacks to the motorists, some of whom had been stuck for more than 12 hours.The Red Cross erected shelters along the highway and Kentucky State Police tweeted that officers were taking water, fuel and snacks to the motorists, some of whom had been stuck for more than 12 hours.
Earlier, Caitlin Centner, a reporter with the local channel WKYT-TV, said: "Every time it looks like there's light at the end of the tunnel, more accidents and slide-offs are occurring." Further north, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a number of other vehicles have been stuck in snow for at least 12 hours after the road closed. One university basketball team that was stranded said they were running out of leftover pizza and getting hungry.
The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.
In other developments:In other developments:
The US federal government closed down at noon on Friday. President Obama is remaining at the White House.The US federal government closed down at noon on Friday. President Obama is remaining at the White House.
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).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).
In a warning at 02:17 (07:17 GMT), the NWS tweeted that an "intense snow band" was moving through the area. "Expect rapid accumulations and near-whiteout conditions," it warned.In a warning at 02:17 (07:17 GMT), the NWS tweeted that an "intense snow band" was moving through the area. "Expect rapid accumulations and near-whiteout conditions," it warned.
The most intense parts of the snowstorm are heading north towards New York state on Saturday.The most intense parts of the snowstorm are heading north towards New York state on Saturday.
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.
The BBC's Laura Bicker, in Washington DC, says it feels as though the city is in hiding - the streets are empty and restaurants, bars and supermarkets remain closed.The BBC's Laura Bicker, in Washington DC, says it feels as though the city is in hiding - the streets are empty and restaurants, bars and supermarkets remain closed.
Residents have been told to find a safe place and stay there until the storm has passed.Residents have been told to find a safe place and stay there until the storm has passed.
Some tips on surviving a snowstormSome tips on surviving a snowstorm
How to prepare for a snowstormHow to prepare for a snowstorm
Throughout the night, people took to Twitter to post updates on snow levels and pictures under the hashtag #Snowmaggedon2016.Throughout the night, people took to Twitter to post updates on snow levels and pictures under the hashtag #Snowmaggedon2016.
In Baltimore, teams of mental health specialists were working to bring some of the estimated 3,000 homeless people to shelter, the New York Times reported.In Baltimore, teams of mental health specialists were working to bring some of the estimated 3,000 homeless people to shelter, the New York Times reported.
Supermarket shelves in many areas were 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 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.
Do you live on the US east coast? Are you affected by the blizzard? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories, and if safe to do so, send us your pictures and video.Do you live on the US east coast? Are you affected by the blizzard? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories, and if safe to do so, send us your pictures and video.
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:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below