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| Storm engulfs US east coast as havoc persists in South | Storm engulfs US east coast as havoc persists in South |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A huge snow storm is blanketing the densely populated US North-east, after wreaking havoc with ice in the South. | A huge snow storm is blanketing the densely populated US North-east, after wreaking havoc with ice in the South. |
| Across the typically mild South, about 750,000 homes and businesses lack power, and about 6,500 flights have been cancelled. | Across the typically mild South, about 750,000 homes and businesses lack power, and about 6,500 flights have been cancelled. |
| The weather system has affected people in about 22 states from Texas to Maine and caused at least 18 deaths. | The weather system has affected people in about 22 states from Texas to Maine and caused at least 18 deaths. |
| The storm dumped up to 15in (30cm) of snow in the Washington DC region and 8in around New York City overnight. | The storm dumped up to 15in (30cm) of snow in the Washington DC region and 8in around New York City overnight. |
| Snow-covered streets were deserted during the morning commute in the nation's capital, where the federal government shut down its offices. | Snow-covered streets were deserted during the morning commute in the nation's capital, where the federal government shut down its offices. |
| As much as 10-20 inches of snow in total could fall from north-eastern Pennsylvania to New England on Thursday, said the National Weather Service. | As much as 10-20 inches of snow in total could fall from north-eastern Pennsylvania to New England on Thursday, said the National Weather Service. |
| Almost 6,500 flights were cancelled on Thursday, according to airline-tracking website FlightAware.com. | Almost 6,500 flights were cancelled on Thursday, according to airline-tracking website FlightAware.com. |
| While temperatures at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, rose to 17C (63F), the US was shivering in bitter cold once again. | While temperatures at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, rose to 17C (63F), the US was shivering in bitter cold once again. |
| In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio was criticised for keeping schools open despite the snow piling on the ground. | In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio was criticised for keeping schools open despite the snow piling on the ground. |
| "Why [aren't] schools all around NYC closed? It's going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed," Al Roker, a prominent meteorologist and television figure on NBC, wrote on Twitter. He is currently in Sochi, Russia, for the Olympics, but has a child in a city school. | "Why [aren't] schools all around NYC closed? It's going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed," Al Roker, a prominent meteorologist and television figure on NBC, wrote on Twitter. He is currently in Sochi, Russia, for the Olympics, but has a child in a city school. |
| Mr de Blasio responded that many parents depended on schools to watch over their children while they work. | Mr de Blasio responded that many parents depended on schools to watch over their children while they work. |
| Winter celebration cancelled | Winter celebration cancelled |
| Ironically, a celebration of winter tourism in the village of Lake Placid, New York state, was cancelled because of the storm. | Ironically, a celebration of winter tourism in the village of Lake Placid, New York state, was cancelled because of the storm. |
| Described by the National Weather Service as an event of "historical proportions", the storm leaves in its southern wake a wreckage of snapped tree branches and power lines coated in as much as an inch of ice, motorways turned to car parks, road accidents and residents shivering in darkened homes. | Described by the National Weather Service as an event of "historical proportions", the storm leaves in its southern wake a wreckage of snapped tree branches and power lines coated in as much as an inch of ice, motorways turned to car parks, road accidents and residents shivering in darkened homes. |
| Forecasters said it was one of the worst storms to strike Atlanta, the largest city in the South, since 1973. | Forecasters said it was one of the worst storms to strike Atlanta, the largest city in the South, since 1973. |
| President Barack Obama declared a disaster in the state of South Carolina and all northern counties in Georgia, opening the way for federal aid. | President Barack Obama declared a disaster in the state of South Carolina and all northern counties in Georgia, opening the way for federal aid. |
| On Wednesday evening, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was moving supplies, including generators, meals, water, blankets and cots to an emergency centre in Atlanta. | On Wednesday evening, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was moving supplies, including generators, meals, water, blankets and cots to an emergency centre in Atlanta. |
| At least 18 deaths have been blamed on the storm, many of them in traffic accidents. | At least 18 deaths have been blamed on the storm, many of them in traffic accidents. |
| Three people were killed on Wednesday when an ambulance slid off a west Texas road, flipped over and caught fire. | Three people were killed on Wednesday when an ambulance slid off a west Texas road, flipped over and caught fire. |
| Meanwhile, a firefighter died when an out-of-control vehicle knocked him off an icy motorway bridge in Dallas, Texas. And a pregnant woman in New York City was killed after being struck by a snow plough. Her baby was delivered in critical condition via caesarean section. | Meanwhile, a firefighter died when an out-of-control vehicle knocked him off an icy motorway bridge in Dallas, Texas. And a pregnant woman in New York City was killed after being struck by a snow plough. Her baby was delivered in critical condition via caesarean section. |
| A man in Georgia was killed after slipping and falling on a patch of ice. | A man in Georgia was killed after slipping and falling on a patch of ice. |
| On Wednesday, thousands of vehicles were stranded on snow-shrouded motorways around Raleigh, North Carolina, with some people abandoning their vehicles. | On Wednesday, thousands of vehicles were stranded on snow-shrouded motorways around Raleigh, North Carolina, with some people abandoning their vehicles. |
| Soo Keith, of Raleigh, left her office shortly after midday, but after two hours had only driven a few miles. | Soo Keith, of Raleigh, left her office shortly after midday, but after two hours had only driven a few miles. |
| She told the Associated Press news agency she eventually abandoned her vehicle and continued on foot, arriving home four hours later. | She told the Associated Press news agency she eventually abandoned her vehicle and continued on foot, arriving home four hours later. |
| "My face is all frozen, my glasses are all frozen, my hair is all frozen," said Ms Keith. | "My face is all frozen, my glasses are all frozen, my hair is all frozen," said Ms Keith. |
| Residents of Georgia appeared to have heeded official warnings, with motorways in the state clear but with many people stuck at home without electric power. | Residents of Georgia appeared to have heeded official warnings, with motorways in the state clear but with many people stuck at home without electric power. |
| "Thanks to the people of Georgia," Governor Nathan Deal said. "You have shown your character." | "Thanks to the people of Georgia," Governor Nathan Deal said. "You have shown your character." |
| Mr Deal asked those waiting for power to be restored to be patient, saying he was hearing of "good response times" from the state's utilities. | Mr Deal asked those waiting for power to be restored to be patient, saying he was hearing of "good response times" from the state's utilities. |