Massive snowstorm hits US east coast: state of emergency

3 years ago

Massive snowstorm hits US east coast: state of emergency

A massive winter storm has hit the US east coast, grounding flights, shuttering vaccination sites halting life in New York.

Till Monday afternoon as much as 19in (48cm) of snow had already fallen in parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and 17in (43cm) in New York City.

New York City and New Jersey have both declared a state of emergency.

The US National Weather Service said the storm will move up to New England on Tuesday. Wind gusts of up to 50mph (80km/h) are also forecast for several days creating a blinding, blowing snow storm.

The storm has wrought havoc on local travel. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an order restricting non-essential travel from 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday, and closing public schools on Tuesday.