A massive snowstorm stranded motorists, cancelled flights and left at least seven people dead in the northeastern United States, five of them in the Buffalo area, officials said on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said all 50 States experienced sub-freezing temperatures Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal from the Midwest to the east coast until the weekend.
Some areas east and southeast of Buffalo, in northern New York, could receive a year's accumulation of snow in just three days, officials said. A state of emergency and travel bans are in effect across Buffalo's Erie County and authorities ordered people to stay off the roads to allow crews to clear as many roads as possible.
"The important thing to remember is that the storm isn't over and people should prepare for at least two more days of bad winter weather," said deputy Erie County executive Rich Tobe.
County spokesman Peter Anderson confirmed five storm-related fatalities to AFP. Three people died from apparent heart attacks while shoveling snow.
US media reported two other deaths in the States of New Hampshire and Michigan. National Guard units were called in to assist after crews from the New York's transportation department worked through the night to rescue stranded motorists and take people to shelters.
Anderson told AFP that all the runways at Buffalo Niagara International Airport were open, but that "a lot of flights" were being cancelled because people cannot get to the airport.