News / Society

Northeastern US states declare state of emergency after blizzard

Tuesday, 14 March 2017 11:41 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 14 March 2017 11:41 PM ]

Workers clear the streets from ice and snow in Brooklyn, New York on March 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

A state of emergency has been declared in multiple northeastern US states after a massive winter storm rolled in, closing schools and grounding thousands of flights.

State officials issued blizzard warnings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut on Tuesday, with predictions of up to 60 centimeters of snow by the next day and temperatures between 15 to 30 degrees below normal for this time of year.

Men try to push a cab stuck in the snow on a street in New York on March 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Winter storm Stella cancelled more than 6,000 flights and shut down schools and government offices, also disrupting public transportation systems.

The cold spell knocked out power to nearly 100,000 customers in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, affecting more than 50 million people across America.

A worker clears a sidewalk on March 14, 2017 in Weehawken, New Jersey. (Photo by AFP)

US President Donald Trump has signaled relative organizations to provide needed help for the people, who were advised to stay home following the emergency state.

The winter storm follows a spell of unusually mild weather in the northeastern US.