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Snowstorm paralyses US east coast Snowstorm paralyses US east coast
(about 5 hours later)
An "extremely dangerous" storm has dumped large amounts of snow in the eastern US, killing at least two people and paralysing parts of the region.An "extremely dangerous" storm has dumped large amounts of snow in the eastern US, killing at least two people and paralysing parts of the region.
About 10in (25cm) of snow had fallen by 0100 (0600 GMT) in Washington, with forecasters predicting the heaviest snowfall to hit the area in 90 years. Up to 28in (71cm) of snow had reportedly fallen by 1100 (1600 GMT) in Washington, which would be the heaviest snowfall there in almost 90 years.
Museums closed, transport was widely disrupted, and residents were told to prepare for up to five days indoors. The weather has caused road accidents, cancelled flights, and left tens of thousands of homes without electricity.
A rare blizzard warning is in effect for the Washington-Baltimore area.A rare blizzard warning is in effect for the Washington-Baltimore area.
The storm - dubbed "snowpocalypse" and "snowmageddon" by the local media - is expected to stretch from Indiana to Pennsylvania and into parts of New York and North Carolina.The storm - dubbed "snowpocalypse" and "snowmageddon" by the local media - is expected to stretch from Indiana to Pennsylvania and into parts of New York and North Carolina.
Parts of Maryland and West Virginia are already buried under more than 20in (51 cm) of snow.
And forecasters say that snowfall rates are likely to increase - up to 2in (5cm) an hour - early in the day.
It comes less than two months after a December storm dumped more than 16in (41cm) of snow in Washington.It comes less than two months after a December storm dumped more than 16in (41cm) of snow in Washington.
Travel chaosTravel chaos
The National Weather Service has said the storm could be "extremely dangerous."The National Weather Service has said the storm could be "extremely dangerous."
WASHINGTON SNOWSTORMS More than 1ft (12in, 30.5cm) of snow only 13 times since 1870Heaviest on record is 28in (71cm) in January 1922Worst snowfall is believed to have hit in 1772, before records began, with as much as 3ft In pictures: Washington snowfall WASHINGTON SNOWSTORMS More than 1ft (12in, 30.5cm) of snow has fallen only 13 times since 1870Heaviest on record is 28in (71cm) in January 1922Worst snowfall is believed to have hit in 1772, before records began, with as much as 3ft In pictures: Washington snowfall
It forecast up to 30in (76cm) of snow in the capital, which would shatter Washington's record snowfall of 28in in 1922. Washington was left without a bus service after roads were deemed "impassable" and the metro stopped all but its underground service.
Late on Friday, Washington was left without a bus service after roads were deemed "impassable" and the metro stopped all but its underground service.
The storm has been blamed for at least two deaths - a father and son who were hit by a tractor-trailer on a road in Virginia when they stopped to help a stranded motorist, local media reported.The storm has been blamed for at least two deaths - a father and son who were hit by a tractor-trailer on a road in Virginia when they stopped to help a stranded motorist, local media reported.
All flights were cancelled at Washington's Reagan National airport, and only some international flights were operating at Dulles International. Most flights were cancelled at the Washington-Baltimore area's three main airports and at Philadelphia International Airport.
Flights from international destinations, including the UK were also disrupted.Flights from international destinations, including the UK were also disrupted.
In London, British Airways cancelled one flight to Washington and one to Baltimore. Its flights from Philadelphia and Washington to Heathrow were stuck overnight in the US.In London, British Airways cancelled one flight to Washington and one to Baltimore. Its flights from Philadelphia and Washington to Heathrow were stuck overnight in the US.
Residents were urged to keep off the roads, and to be prepared to stay inside for up to five days. Supermarket rush
Officials said at least 150,000 homes had lost power in the Washington area as the wet and heavy snow weighed down trees and power lines.
DC traditionally panics when it comes to snow - this time, it may be more justifiable than most times. Becky ShippResident of Arlington, Virginia
"Things are fairly manageable, but trees are starting to come down," DC fire department spokesman Pete Piringer, told AP news agency.
Motorists were urged to keep off the roads, church services were cancelled, and people were told to be prepared to stay inside for up to five days.
"DC traditionally panics when it comes to snow. This time, it may be more justifiable than most times," Becky Shipp, a resident of Arlington, Virginia, told AP on Friday.
"I am trying to get a walk in before I am stuck with just the exercise machine in my condo," she added.
As the storm approached on Friday, residents poured into supermarkets, stocking up on food and other supplies, the BBC's Imtiaz Tyab reports from Washington.
One Washington resident described the scene at her local supermarket.One Washington resident described the scene at her local supermarket.
"I got there at 0700 [on Friday] and there were really long queues, Jane Bate, 41, told the AFP news agency. "The place looked like it had been ransacked.""I got there at 0700 [on Friday] and there were really long queues, Jane Bate, 41, told the AFP news agency. "The place looked like it had been ransacked."
The governors of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware have declared states of emergency, a move that puts the National Guard on alert.The governors of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware have declared states of emergency, a move that puts the National Guard on alert.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, 94% of the state's snow removal budget had already been spent during the December blizzard.According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, 94% of the state's snow removal budget had already been spent during the December blizzard.
Officials said they would have to use emergency funds to pay for snow removal after this latest storm.Officials said they would have to use emergency funds to pay for snow removal after this latest storm.
Are you in the Washington area? How are you preparing for the snow storm? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the Washington area? How are you preparing for the snow storm? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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