Stranded try to get out, before the next snows

WASHINGTON - Planes were grounded, trains stood still and Greyhound buses weren't rolling on the United States East Coast yesterday, leaving stranded travellers wondering when they will escape the icy mess created by a major snowstorm.

Hundreds of thousands of homes were without power with temperatures below freezing all day.

Utilities warned it could be days before it is all restored.

Ploughs had scraped down to bare pavement on some main thoroughfares while not touching streets in many areas buried by 60cm of snow or more.

In Washington, the federal Government made the decision to close agencies today and many school districts across the region were giving students a snow day.

But for those stranded, the thought of another day off wasn't much to smile about.

Joel Jones of Durham, North Carolina, said he was on a bus from Baltimore on Saturday. When he arrived in Washington, the rest of the trip was cancelled.

He walked to Union Station to get a train, where he has remained, sleeping on chairs.

"I'm starting to worry because I take insulin," said the 41-year-old, who has diabetes.

"I got enough for like one more shot, so I have enough until tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll get on the bus in the morning."

The National Weather Service called the storm historic and reported 30cm of snow in parts of Ohio and 60cm or more in Washington, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Parts of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia got closer to 90cm. In Philadelphia, 72cm of snow fell during the storm, just shy of the record 78cm during a January 1996 blizzard.

Snow totals were even higher to the west in Pennsylvania.

Many roads reopened but officials continued to warn residents that highways were still icy, a remnant from the storm President Barack Obama called "Snowmageddon".

In Washington, the sun was finally shining yesterday and the sounds of shovels could be heard on streets.

In contrast to Sunday, when people were frolicking on the barren streets, thoughts turned to cleaning up. The snow snapped tree limbs on to power lines and several roofs collapsed under the weight.

Making matters worse, the weather service issued a storm watch for the Washington area tomorrow, saying there was potential for another 12.5cm or more of snow.

Forecasters expect highs of about 2C for the next few days, although sunshine today should help melt some of the snow, said meteorologist Bryan Jackson.

Washington's Reagan National Airport cancelled all flights and hadn't decided when flights would resume.

Some flights had resumed at nearby Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

- AP