Monster winter storm kills at least 12 as it slams U.S. East Coast

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (NsNewsWire) — A massive winter storm has been clobbering the eastern region of the United States, forcing more cities along the East Coast to be shut down Saturday, leaving at least 12 people dead and stranding thousands on the roads and at airports, reports Xinhua.

According to local weather services, Winter Storm Jonas was moving towards Northeast Saturday, with dangerous blizzard or near-blizzard conditions ongoing across the region. Record coastal flooding and winds over 112 kilometers per hour were predicted in some coastal areas.

Blizzard warnings remained in effect Saturday for about 38 million people in northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.

So far, governors of 11 U.S. states had declared a state of emergency as heavy snowfall, gale-force winds and coastal flooding showed no signs of dying down.

In Washington, D.C., the storm had dumped up to 13 inches, or 33 centimeters, of snow by 10 a.m. local time Saturday, said Mayor Murial Bowser of the District of Columbia here at a press conference.

Another 10 inches (25.4cm) of snow and high winds were expected in the next hours, according to Bowser.

So far, there had been no reported fatalities in Washington, D.C., said local police. However, in states located in the storm’s path, at least 12 were killed due to severe weather conditions, mostly from traffic accidents.