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Snowstorm blankets US East Coast Snowstorm blankets US East Coast
(about 1 hour later)
A fierce winter snowstorm has hit the eastern United States, leaving three people dead and bringing travel chaos. A winter storm is gripping the eastern US, dumping more than 1ft (30cm) of snow in some areas, snarling up travel and cutting power supplies.
Flights were grounded in Washington and Baltimore after more than one foot (30cm) of snow fell in some areas, with up to 22in expected by Saturday night. Storm-related incidents claimed five lives and forecasters warned of 40mph (64km/h) winds in what may be the worst snowstorm in a decade.
A blizzard warning has been issued by the US National Weather Service with wind gusts of up to 40mph (64km/h) forecast. Snowfall is due to reach 22in overnight in the Baltimore-Washington DC area, the heaviest since 2003.
Some areas declared a snow emergency, warning people to stay at home. The storm system is moving north toward New York and Boston.
Snow ploughs cleared the runway at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington as President Barack Obama returned from climate talks in Copenhagen. Forecasters say the cities could be in for more than 14in of snow.
Mayors never want to have 20 inches of snow Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8422885.stm">In pictures: US snow storms In Washington, a snow emergency was declared and the capital's Reagan National Airport has been shut down for the night.
The president travelled in a motorcade back home, rather than by helicopter, because of the weather, The White House says. Most flights from Baltimore were cancelled and there were long delays for passengers using Philadelphia and New York.
In Virginia, several hundred motorists became stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued by the National Guard. Roads have been badly affected, too, with one transport official calling it a very serious storm.
While some wanted to stay in vehicles, about 100 people were taken to shelters, said Bob Spieldenner, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. As Washington's Union Station filled with travellers, some of them sprawled out on the floor, the passenger train service Amtrak said delays between Washington and Boston were averaging between 30 and 60 minutes.
"We're definitely trying to keep people off the roads," he added. At least two trains to Boston apparently departed more than four hours late.
Traffic accidentsTraffic accidents
Mr Spieldenner told the BBC News website that one person had been killed late on Friday in Carroll County, Virginia, when a car hit a tree. In Virginia, several hundred motorists became stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued by the National Guard, using Humvees.
Two more died - one in another road traffic accident - on Saturday in Hampton city in the state, he added. Washington DC is preparing for its worst winter since 2003
Some 500 people sought warmth and refuge in emergency shelters.
Three people died in the state. One was killed when a car hit a tree, a second died of exposure and a third was also apparently killed in a road traffic accident.
In Ohio, two people were killed in accidents on snow-covered roads hit by the same storm system.
The US National Weather Service said the storm was expected to reach as far north as Massachusetts on Sunday.The US National Weather Service said the storm was expected to reach as far north as Massachusetts on Sunday.
Heavy snow is expected to fall from North Carolina to New York, with major cities including Baltimore and Philadelphia bracing themselves for a foot or more of snow. Heavy snow is expected to fall from North Carolina to New York, with major cities bracing themselves for a foot or more of snow.
Washington DC is preparing for what could be its worst winter storm since 2003. The US National Weather Service warned that weather conditions in the Washington area had made travel "extremely treacherous".
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty declared a snow emergency, asking residents to stay at home as the US capital braced for what has been dubbed "The Shopper Stopper Storm". "Do not travel," it warned drivers.
"Mayors never want to have 20 inches of snow," Mr Fenty said. "If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle."
"But if you're going to get 20 inches, you have it on a weekend where people don't have to get anywhere, they don't have to get their kids anywhere." Empty malls
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty asked residents to sit out the weekend snowstorm at home where possible.
Those who did venture out were treated to nearly desolate stores on what is usually one of the busiest shopping days of the year, The Associated Press reports.
In snow-bound areas, there were virtually no queues to get a picture with a mall Santa on the last weekend before Christmas, it adds.
"It's nice because no one's here," said shopper Nnika White, out buying a drum set for her boy of two in Richmond, Virginia.
"For shopping, it's great, but the roads are very, very bad," she added.
US President Barack Obama, arriving back at Andrews Air Force Base in Virginia from the Copenhagen climate conference, travelled into Washington by motorcade rather than helicopter because of the weather.
The storm system originated over the Gulf of Mexico, unleashing flash floods in much of the US south-east.
The rain turned to snow as the storm tracked north-eastward into sub-freezing temperatures.
Have you been affected by the snowstorm in the US? Send us your comments.Have you been affected by the snowstorm in the US? Send us your comments.
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