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US snowstorm: Mammoth blizzard shuts New York City US snowstorm: Mammoth blizzard shuts New York City
(about 3 hours later)
All non-essential travel has been banned in New York, transport suspended and bridges shut as the city is hit by one of its worst snowstorms. All non-essential travel has been banned in New York, transport suspended and bridges shut as the city is being hit by one of its worst snowstorms.
Parts of the eastern United States have received 40in (102cm) of snowfall in a huge blizzard that is sweeping across the region. Parts of the eastern US have received 40in (102cm) of snowfall in a huge blizzard that is sweeping across the region, affecting 85 million people.
Travel restrictions in New York came into place at 14:30 (19:30 GMT).Travel restrictions in New York came into place at 14:30 (19:30 GMT).
Mayor Bill de Blasio said up to 25in snow may fall, making it one of the five worst winter storms in the city. Mayor Bill de Blasio said up to 28in of snow might fall, making it one of the five worst winter storms in the city.
Heavy snow began falling on Friday across more than 20 states, affecting some 85 million people. The city's highest previous snowfall, 26.9in, was recorded in February 2006.
At least 13 people have died and emergencies have been declared in 11 states. Heavy snow began falling on Friday across more than 20 states.
Tens of thousands of homes are without power and traffic jams lasting more than 12 hours were reported in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
In pictures: #snowmageddon2016In pictures: #snowmageddon2016
Snowstorm as it happenedSnowstorm as it happened
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?
At least 17 deaths have been blamed on the severe weather, most from traffic accidents. Emergencies have been declared in 11 states.
Tens of thousands of homes are without power and traffic jams lasting more than 12 hours were reported in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
The heaviest unofficial snowfalls recorded by mid-afternoon included:The heaviest unofficial snowfalls recorded by mid-afternoon included:
The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Alabama in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east. The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country: from Alabama in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.
New York City could be on course to top its highest snowfall, 26.9in, recorded in February 2006.
In the latest developments in New York:In the latest developments in New York:
"This is going to be one of those generational events, where your parents talk about how bad it was," said Ryan Maue, a meteorologist with WeatherBell Analytics."This is going to be one of those generational events, where your parents talk about how bad it was," said Ryan Maue, a meteorologist with WeatherBell Analytics.
On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, several hundred people have been stranded in vehicles for almost a day.On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, several hundred people have been stranded in vehicles for almost a day.
Among them are close to 250 students from the University of Mary in North Dakota. Monsignor James Shea, president of the university, told the BBC that "spirits are good and no-one is panicking".Among them are close to 250 students from the University of Mary in North Dakota. Monsignor James Shea, president of the university, told the BBC that "spirits are good and no-one is panicking".
Further south in Kentucky, a 35-mile (56km) traffic jam has cleared, after thousands of drivers found themselves stranded overnight on Interstate 75 by heavy snow and a number of accidents.Further south in Kentucky, a 35-mile (56km) traffic jam has cleared, after thousands of drivers found themselves stranded overnight on Interstate 75 by heavy snow and a number of accidents.
The Red Cross erected shelters along the highway for those left in the traffic jam.The Red Cross erected shelters along the highway for those left in the traffic jam.
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 Barack Obama is remaining at the White House.
In a warning on Saturday morning, the National Weather Service tweeted that an "intense snow band" was moving across the eastern states. "Expect rapid accumulations and near-whiteout conditions," it warned.
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.
Some tips on surviving a snowstorm In a warning on Saturday morning, the National Weather Service tweeted that an "intense snow band" was moving across the eastern states. "Expect rapid accumulations and near-whiteout conditions," it warned.
How to prepare for a snowstorm
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:
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