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US snow storm pummels East Coast Massive US snowstorm heads north
(40 minutes later)
One of the worst blizzards in decades is continuing north after dumping nearly 2ft (0.6m) of snow across swathes of the US East Coast. One of the worst US blizzards in decades is continuing north, with parts of New England likely to record up to 16in (41cm) of snow.
The governors of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and Delaware, and the mayors of Washington and Philadelphia all declared emergencies. Long Island has suffered whiteout conditions and New York City saw nearly 11in of snow by Sunday.
Washington DC saw the largest snowfall ever recorded in a single December day. The slow-moving monster - known as a nor'easter - has sprawled 500 miles (800km) over a dozen states, affecting about a quarter of the US population.
More than 1,200 flights were grounded, hundreds of bus routes were scrapped and thousands of homes had no power. It has sparked emergencies in a number of states and cities.
The slow-moving monster system - known as a nor'easter - at one point sprawled some 500 miles (800km) across a dozen states, affecting about a quarter of the US population. Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and Delaware, along with Washington and Philadelphia, at some stage all declared them.
On Sunday, the storm - which has been blamed for at least five deaths - lurched into southern New England. Stranded train
Blizzard warnings are still in place in some parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
For those looking for a white Christmas, this certainly will stick around Bruce Sullivan US National Weather Service In pictures: Snowstorms Eyewitness: Eastern US snowstorm US snowstorm: Your storiesFor those looking for a white Christmas, this certainly will stick around Bruce Sullivan US National Weather Service In pictures: Snowstorms Eyewitness: Eastern US snowstorm US snowstorm: Your stories
As much as 16in of snow was expected and blizzard warnings were issued for parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Washington DC earlier saw the largest snowfall ever recorded in a single December day and southern New Jersey its highest single-storm snow in almost four years.
Unleashing gusts of up to 60mph (96km/h) - it dumped more snow on New York and Boston as it moved up the coast on Saturday night. Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty expressed confidence that most city streets would be cleared by Monday.
Some of the deepest snow was recorded near Philadelphia: 24in. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said thousands of workers were out clearing streets on Sunday.
The 16in of snow that fell on Reagan National Airport outside Washington on Saturday was the most ever recorded on a December day around the US capital since records began in 1885. He remained upbeat, saying the snow fell too late on Saturday to affect Christmas trading severely.
Hundreds of thousands of householders lost power in West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. "Hopefully, we'll have a little bit of a white Christmas," he said.
"For those who are looking for a white Christmas, this certainly will stick around for Christmas-time," National Weather Service meteorologist Bruce Sullivan told Associated Press Radio. Some tourists were happy. Briton Kevin Sanders said: "We just came off the Statue of Liberty when it came down last night, and look this morning. It's amazing. It gives it the Christmas feel as well."
More than 1,200 flights were grounded in eight main airports, causing delays to ripple across the country. Others suffered more difficulties - about 150 people were stranded for five hours on a Long Island train.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled into New York airports but they are now trying to return to normal.
Airports in Washington, Baltimore and Boston were also still experiencing severe problems.
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Snowstorm blankets US East CoastSnowstorm blankets US East Coast
Cancellations affected Reagan and Dulles airports in Washington, Philadelphia International, New York's three major airports, Logan in Boston and flights from Baltimore. The storm has also brought wind gusts of up to 60mph (96km/h).
Hundreds of thousands of householders earlier lost power in West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina.
The Greyhound bus firm cancelled services on nearly 300 routes across the eastern seaboard, while Amtrak trains experienced major delays.The Greyhound bus firm cancelled services on nearly 300 routes across the eastern seaboard, while Amtrak trains experienced major delays.
'Shopper Stopper' In Virginia, several hundred motorists were earlier stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued by the National Guard. Some 500 people sought refuge in emergency shelters.
In Virginia, several hundred motorists became stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued by the National Guard. Some 500 people sought refuge in emergency shelters.
Three people died in Virginia. 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.
HAVE YOUR SAYThe people who were driving small cars were slipping and sliding and crashing into parked carsSteve, Arlington, Virginia Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThe people who were driving small cars were slipping and sliding and crashing into parked carsSteve, Arlington, Virginia Send us your comments
Three people died in Virginia. 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 died in accidents on snow-covered roads hit by the same storm system.In Ohio, two people died in accidents on snow-covered roads hit by the same storm system.
Retail centres normally jammed on the last weekend before Christmas were deserted, leading one US media outlet to dub it "The Shopper Stopper Storm".
The system originated over the Gulf of Mexico, unleashing flash floods in much of the US south-east.The 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.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.
You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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