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Snowstorm paralyses US east coast Snowstorm paralyses US east coast
(about 2 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. The heaviest snow storms for decades have struck the eastern US, paralysing air and road transport, and bringing Washington DC to a standstill.
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. The storm knocked down power lines and left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.
The weather has caused road accidents, cancelled flights, and left tens of thousands of homes without electricity. Nearly 2ft (60cm) of snow had fallen by noon on Saturday in cities across the region, the Associated Press reports.
A rare blizzard warning is in effect for the Washington-Baltimore area. The governors of Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland have declared states of emergency.
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. West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are also affected.
It comes less than two months after a December storm dumped more than 16in (41cm) of snow in Washington.
Travel chaos
The National Weather Service has said the storm could be "extremely dangerous."
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: Snow chaosWASHINGTON 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: Snow chaos
Washington was left without a bus service after roads were deemed "impassable" and the metro stopped all but its underground service. The National Weather Service declared a 24-hour blizzard warning for the Washington-Baltimore region until 2200 on Saturday (0300 GMT on Sunday).
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. Most flights from the Washington-Baltimore area's three main airports and Philadelphia International Airport have been cancelled.
Most flights were cancelled at the Washington-Baltimore area's three main airports and at Philadelphia International Airport. Hundreds of car accidents were reported, including two fatalities - a father and son who died while helping another motorist in Virginia.
Flights from international destinations, including the UK were also disrupted. US national rail service Amtrak cancelled a number of trains between New York and Washington, and also between Washington and some southern destinations.
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. Local weather forecasters said the Washington area could see its heaviest snowfall in 90 years.
Supermarket rush It comes less than two months after a December storm dumped more than 16in (41cm) of snow in Washington.
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. The usually traffic-heavy roads of the capital were deserted, while the city's famous sites and monuments were covered with snow.
DC traditionally panics when it comes to snow - this time, it may be more justifiable than most times. Becky ShippResident of Arlington, VirginiaDC 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. The Washington Metro was operating only on underground lines, and bus services were cancelled.
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. US government offices in the Washington area closed four hours early on Friday, while the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo were closed on Saturday.
"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. As the storm approached on Friday, residents poured into supermarkets, stocking up on food and other supplies.
"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.
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.
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 eastern US? How are you coping with the snow storms? 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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