CHICAGO: A massive winter storm system that whipped up tornadoes, ice and snow from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes and killed at least three people on Christmas was moving slowly eastward yesterday.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled and people were warned to stay home rather than brave the strong winds, freezing temperatures and treacherous roads.
The National Weather service warned of “dangerous travel conditions due to snow and ice covered roads” and said the weight of ice and snow could knock down power lines and trees. It forecast up to 18 inches of snow (46 centimetres) from New York state up to Maine and warned of freezing rain and tornadoes all the way down to the Carolinas.
Areas in the Rocky Mountains could also expect about 30cm of snow yesterday. Nearly 700 US flights had been cancelled by yesterday morning after more than 500 were cancelled on Tuesday, according to FlightAware.
The major hub of Dallas-Fort Worth had halted all flights until 11 am (1600 GMT) due to the strong winds, snow and ice. Scores of homes and businesses were damaged Tuesday after 34 tornadoes were reported in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. AFP