21 Nov 2014

Fierce US storm returns to north-east

8:00 am on 21 November 2014

A fierce storm is bringing more snow to parts of the US north-east, with officials warning residents to be prepared for 1 metre of new snow.

New York storm

Tami Normile and Richard Brooks attempt to remove some of the snow from a roof top in the Lakeview neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. Photo: AFP

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called it a "historic event", while a local official dubbed the storm "gigantic".

Some places, including the city of Buffalo, were already underneath 1.5 metres of snow, and eight people had died in New York state, the BBC reported.

Weather-related deaths were also reported in New Hampshire and Michigan.

Freezing temperatures have continued in many parts of the US, with heavy disruption to travel.

The new storm blast spread across New York early yesterday, bringing thunder, lightning and the spectre of several more feet of snow.

"It's a force of nature, a massive force of nature,'' Deputy Erie County Commissioner Richard Tobe told reporters.

"We're prepared, but the storm is gigantic and persistent."

New York storm

Christyann Mutka shovels snow off of her car in Alden, New York. Photo: AFP

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.

"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.

"We have maybe four feet of snow so a couple more coming tonight and we'll see how we do."

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