US winter storm blamed for 15 deaths in north-east

The north-eastern United States was bracing for more snow as a powerful winter storm blew in after dumping a record snowfall in Arkansas and ruining holiday travel plans.

The storm, blamed for six deaths, is expected to drop one to two feet of snow on parts of the north-east just a day after it swept through the centre of the country. As it arrived, snowfall ranged from a few inches to a dozen in some locations.

The National Weather Service says the heaviest accumulations will be in northern Pennsylvania, upstate New York and inland sections of several New England states before the storm ends tomorrow and heads to Canada.

Yesterday, the storm caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled or delayed and scores of motorists got stuck on icy roads. Blizzard warnings were issued in some areas.

The death toll later rose to 15. Officials in Indiana said a man and a woman were killed when the scooter they were riding went out of control on a snowy street and they were hit by a pickup truck.

Despite the weather, no flights were delayed today in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

In coastal areas, the storm is mostly bringing high winds and heavy rain.

AP