- 1 hour ago
- From the section US & Canada
Millions of people along the US mid-Atlantic region should be bracing for "perhaps crippling" snow, the National Weather Service has said.
Forecasters say two feet of snow could fall over the weekend in some areas, with Washington to bear the brunt.There are warnings the blizzard could cause power outages and bring road and air travel to a halt.
A light dusting of snow on Wednesday night caused gridlock in Washington, raising fears about what is ahead.
Routine commutes lasted up to three hours and some people abandoned their cars, after an inch fell - a fraction of what is expected on Friday and Saturday.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted an apology to her constituents, saying that officials had "failed to deploy the necessary resources in response to the snow - for that I am sorry".
Among those affected was President Barack Obama, whose motorcade spent an hour and 12 minutes trying to get him from an airport back to the White House - a trip that typically takes about a half hour.
Image copyright CBS 
Image copyright CBS 
Image copyright AP Long queues have formed at supermarkets, as people anticipate shop closures over the weekend.
"Heavy snow and blowing snow will cause dangerous conditions and will be a threat to life and property," the National Weather Service warned.
Governors in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia have also declared states of emergency.
Across the US east coast at a glance:
- Washington's metro system will close throughout the weekend
- classes were cancelled at schools in Kentucky and Tennessee, the first states being affected by the storm
- major airlines are allowing travellers in affected regions to rebook onto flights ahead of or after the storm.
- Washington has requested Humvees from the National Guard so that emergency responders can reach isolated people and places
- West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has activated the National Guard to assist
- in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania officials are touting large salt stockpiles and plough vehicles in good repair
No comments:
Post a Comment