Storms sweep eastern US

NEW YORK (AP) - Rain, up to 3ft of snow and winds of up to 90mph hit the north-east of the United States yesterday. Flooding forced evacuations in communities from New Jersey to Massachusetts and disrupted most New York City transport.

La Guardia airport shut down and other airports in the region had long delays. New York's Staten Island ferry stayed at the dock as high waves washed the harbour.

The Pacific north-west was also pounded by heavy wind and rain, with snow in the mountains.

Especially hard-hit yesterday was the New York City metropolitan area, where flooding shut down subways as well as trains under the Hudson River from New Jersey. Debris and water closed bridges and a major motorway in Manhattan.