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'Historic' US storm returns to snow-covered north-east Floods fear as snowfall in north-eastern US subsides
(about 17 hours later)
A fierce storm is bringing more snow to parts of the US north-east, with officials warning residents to be prepared for 3ft (1m) of new snow. Snowfall in the north-east of the US is subsiding, forecasters say, but there is now a threat of flooding from rain at the weekend as the snow melts.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called it a "historic event", while a local official dubbed the storm "gigantic". Officials in New York state are worried buildings may collapse when the rain arrives, because it initially will add to the weight of snow lying on roofs.
Some places, including the city of Buffalo, are already underneath 5ft of snow, and eight people have died in New York state. The state remains paralysed by "historic" levels of snowfall.
Weather-related deaths were also reported in New Hampshire and Michigan. The city of Buffalo was estimated to have received as much snow in three days as it normally gets in a year.
Freezing temperatures have continued in many parts of the US, with heavy disruption to travel. In parts of the city the snow was estimated to be as much as 2.4m (8ft) deep.
The new storm blast spread across New York early on Thursday, bringing thunder, lightning and the spectre of several more feet of snow. Some areas received a further 0.9m (3ft) late on Thursday afternoon.
"It's a force of nature, a massive force of nature,'' Deputy Erie County Commissioner Richard Tobe told reporters. Roof collapse fears
"We're prepared, but the storm is gigantic and persistent." The storms have been blamed for at least 10 deaths in western New York, mostly from exposure and heart attacks. Some of those who died were shovelling snow.
John Jiloty of East Aurora near Buffalo told the BBC that some people had been stuck in their cars for a day and a half. Weather forecasters have predicted light rain to begin on Saturday alongside warmer temperatures.
"I'm lucky to not be in some of the worst of it where there's six feet of snow literally 15 minutes away from where I am," he said. Officials in the Buffalo area of New York state have warned that the major concern now is the threat of roof collapses.
"We have maybe four feet of snow so a couple more coming tonight and we'll see how we do." "There will be a rain starting on Saturday that will not initially create a situation where the snow will melt, but it will actually act as a sponge," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told CNN.
Analysis: Emma Boorman, BBC weather forecaster "So the water that is falling will go into the snow pack and will actually act as a sponge until it finally starts releasing it."
Some parts of New York state have had about 5ft of snow, and there is more to come, perhaps as much as another 2ft in some places. Mr Poloncarz said that the authorities were bracing for the twin threats of collapsing buildings and flooding.
The situation is not unheard of for this time of year, but it is a little unusual. Cold air has pushed south and moved over the relatively warm Great Lakes area - this increases the temperature contrast between the water and the air, which leads to vast and persistent snow showers. "This emergency is not over," he warned.
There is an end in sight. It will turn milder through the weekend with a rapid thaw developing - perhaps leading to its own problems with flash flooding. New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo urged drivers to stay off car-clogged roads while workers try to dig out stranded vehicles.
Residents were reported trapped in their homes and cars, and strong winds and icy roads caused motorway accidents and forced school closures in parts of the US. With many roads still impassable, sporting fixtures have either been postponed or cancelled.
More than 100 National Guard members were deployed in New York to assist in clearing roads and removing abandoned vehicles. BBC weather forecaster Emma Boorman says that while such bad weather is not unheard of for this time of year, it is a little unusual.
Train services in parts of New York state were suspended into Thursday, while long stretches of road near Buffalo were closed. Cold air has pushed south and moved over the relatively warm Great Lakes area - increasing the temperature contrast between the water and the air, which leads to vast and persistent snow showers.
On Thursday, Mr Cuomo told reporters it would be "impractical" to go ahead with a US football game hosted by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The National Football League has yet to announce whether the game will be postponed or relocated.
As well as the fatalities in New York, two other weather-related deaths were reported in New Hampshire and Michigan.
About 20 people have died across the US since Saturday.
Three firefighters in Indiana were also injured when a trailer struck a fire truck on a snow-covered road.
Have you been affected by the snowstorms? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the snowstorms? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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