snow accumulation totals
Big snow storms hit the east coast and growled busy holiday travel season Saturday off as airport runway, was suspended slow rail and bus lines, the last week before Christmas.
Record snowfall totals were reported on Saturday afternoon at Washington Dulles and Reagan National Airport - and the snow is still falling. Accumulation in Dulles reached 16 inches, breaking the old record of 10.6 inches established in December, 12, 1964; 13.3 inches was reported to Reagan. The old record of 11.5 inches have set December 17, 1932nd
Record snowfall totals were reported on Saturday afternoon at Washington Dulles and Reagan National Airport - and the snow is still falling. Accumulation in Dulles reached 16 inches, breaking the old record of 10.6 inches established in December, 12, 1964; 13.3 inches was reported to Reagan. The old record of 11.5 inches have set December 17, 1932nd
Three deaths were blamed on the storm Virginia, state officials said. One person killed late Friday in one-car accident. Two other deaths were reported Saturday he expected a stronger snow.
Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine authorized up to 1,000 National Guard to assist in meeting the storm, which dumped over 20 centimeters of snow in some parts of the state by Saturday night. Virginia State Police responded to nearly 3,000 accidents, or vehicle for the disabled on Friday evening, the governor's office said.
The storm stretched from Tennessee and North Carolina State, Southern New England, Blanketing Mid-Atlantic region and a large wheel on I-95 corridor. The forecast called for 12 to 22 inches snow in some areas. View current information on flight delays at the FAA Web site
CNN meteorologist Karen Maginnis said the storm - known as a nor'easter - can compete Knickerbocker Blizzard of 1922, which falls between 28 and 33 centimeters of snow in the DC area.
"I do not know it was a record-breaker, but it is important," she said. "It was really bad storm today."
Bad weather led emergency statement in the capital, hundreds of motorists stranded, airports shut down, causing power outages, and threatened to Christmas the crowds of shoppers at home.
Weather delayed start times two National Football League game Sunday. Chicago Bears Baltimore Ravens-and-San Francisco 49ers Philadelphia Eagles games are played at 4:15 instead of 1
Chicago Bears players and staff are scheduled to arrive in Baltimore in the rent late Saturday night, after one lane was opened at BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport. Runway, which should remain open for all flights, airport spokesman Maryland Aviation Administration said.
Winter storm warning applies to the Washington area until Sunday, the 6th Blizzard warnings are issued in New York on Long Island and parts of southern New England, the forecasters predict Whiteout conditions due to strong wind.
"I strongly encourage everyone to stay home and off the road," said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. "There are hundreds of abandoned vehicles or uncivilized street. There are one to two feet of snow on the roads, and snow is still falling."
Similar warnings were issued by government officials up and down the east coast.
Parts of U.S. 29, I-77 and I-81 was closed and hundreds of passengers were stranded at the bus terminal in Washington, it canceled nearly 300 flights from New England in Jacksonville, Florida, Greyhound Bus Line spokeswoman Maureen Richmond said. Greyhound travelers stuck in terminals are comfortable with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, Richmond said. See traffic and road closure information on the website dot us
The storm also affected rail traffic. Passengers on board the Amtrak train from New Orleans on Friday morning Sat outside Alexandria, Virginia, after more than five hours on Saturday afternoon.
The train is full of energy, and passengers were given food and drink throughout the suffering Vernay Graham said Amtrak spokesman.
It is expected that the train pull in Washington on Saturday night. Train running 30-60 minutes behind schedule on Saturday, and 60-90 minutes later in the day.
So far, more than 400 people huddled in shelters after 20 Virginia. Virginia National Guard spokesman said that it works with other agencies to transport stranded motorists to shelters, and receive food and water to people stranded in their vehicles.
As snow continues to fall in the mid-Atlantic states, compared to western North Carolina have been digging on Saturday from severe storms. More than 50,000 were without power in Buncombe County, Asheville, after more than a foot snow fell in the mountains. The crews are traveling from Kentucky and South Carolina, to help restore power, a spokesman for Progress Energy said CNN affiliate WLOS.
In Washington, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said the storm is "probably the largest we have seen in several years."
"We throw everything we have to keep in the district are open for business in the busy pre-weekend," said Fenty, he said, snow emergency.
However, he also called on residents to stay in their homes.
"The snow should end early tomorrow morning at 24 hours-cleaning. We have a lot of street ready to go over the tops on Monday. And hopefully, everything done from Monday to Wednesday."
Nine people were taken to hospital after bus and a city snow plow collided, DC fire official said. Injuries were not considered serious.
The storm stopped over-ground Metrorail operations in the district due to heavy snowfall, which is the electrified third rail, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said.
Traveling by train moved underground, and underground Metrorail stations will be open until 3 normal closing time on Saturday night.
In Virginia, Governor Joe Manchin on Saturday declared a state of emergency and "unauthorized use of National Guard to help snow removal and emergency assistance and operations."
West Virginia is trying to help stranded motorists, clear roads and restore outages, ManchÃn said in a statement.
In Massachusetts, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said the snow emergency beginning at 10 pm Forecasters predict up to 15 centimeters of snow in 30 mph winds the night Saturday and Sunday late morning.
The crews are standing snow removal equipment and salt, and emergency homeless in the city is open "all day and night."
While the storm causes chaos for weekend travelers and customers, UPS spokesman Norman Black said Friday sent the package should not be delayed.
"Good thing for us and our competitors is that it occurs on a weekend," said Black.
He said that the packaging for delivery Monday was an aircraft that landed and unloaded Friday night.
UPS package never question Sunday when the Sunday before Christmas. On Saturday and volume is usually light - for delivery on Saturday is a premium service - Black expects few problems.
