This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25322143
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Winter storm closes part of US government | Winter storm closes part of US government |
(about 4 hours later) | |
US government offices in Washington DC and schools in many cities have closed as the east coast braced for a snow storm that did not arrive as feared. | |
Three inches (7.5cm) of snow was forecast to fall over a wide area, down from the 6in anticipated earlier. | |
More than 1,300 flights were cancelled, with some eastern airports reporting delays of up to five hours. | |
The wintry weather follows a storm that dumped several inches in Philadelphia and parts of Maryland on Sunday. | |
That storm contributed to several multi-vehicle pile-ups, including a 50-car accident that began when a man was struck and killed as he got out of his car following a smaller accident. | That storm contributed to several multi-vehicle pile-ups, including a 50-car accident that began when a man was struck and killed as he got out of his car following a smaller accident. |
An ice storm also wreaked havoc on the southern US, especially Texas last week, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and stranding people in airports for several days. | An ice storm also wreaked havoc on the southern US, especially Texas last week, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and stranding people in airports for several days. |
'No big deal' | 'No big deal' |
On Tuesday, thousands of US federal employees in the nation's capital were granted excused absences or allowed to telecommute as snow began falling during the morning rush hour. | On Tuesday, thousands of US federal employees in the nation's capital were granted excused absences or allowed to telecommute as snow began falling during the morning rush hour. |
In nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, traffic was light and public transportation was nearly deserted. | In nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, traffic was light and public transportation was nearly deserted. |
"I wish it was like this all the time - minus the snow,'' Maelin Traylor, 28, of Springfield, Virginia, told the Associated Press. "The traffic was wonderful." | "I wish it was like this all the time - minus the snow,'' Maelin Traylor, 28, of Springfield, Virginia, told the Associated Press. "The traffic was wonderful." |
Another commuter from the town said the snow was "nothing". | Another commuter from the town said the snow was "nothing". |
"It's melting when it's hitting," Jean Walsh said. "I don't think they should have closed the government. It's no big deal and I've got work to do." | "It's melting when it's hitting," Jean Walsh said. "I don't think they should have closed the government. It's no big deal and I've got work to do." |
Public schools in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC and parts of West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee were closed on Tuesday amid a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service. | Public schools in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC and parts of West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee were closed on Tuesday amid a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service. |
By mid-morning, the National Weather Service downgraded its winter storm advisory by to three inches (7.6cm), and in Washington DC, the streets were virtually clear of snow by early afternoon. | |
Thousands of households and businesses in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland were still without power after freezing rain and ice knocked down tree limbs on Sunday. | Thousands of households and businesses in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland were still without power after freezing rain and ice knocked down tree limbs on Sunday. |
Tuesday's storm will hit further north in New York and Boston later in the day, affecting travel for the evening rush hour. | Tuesday's storm will hit further north in New York and Boston later in the day, affecting travel for the evening rush hour. |
In Connecticut, state police said there had been 83 vehicle crashes by late morning, but only minor injuries were recorded. |