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Deadly snowstorm blankets US, 7 dead

Last updated on: November 20, 2014 14:15 IST

At least seven people have died after a massive early season snowstorm described as one of the worst in living memory struck parts of Michigan, upstate New York and New Hampshire.

A man shovels his way through nearly five feet of snow in the Lakeview neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. Photograph: Getty Images

The city of Buffalo was badly hit with up to 1.8 metres of snow falling, as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency.

Vehicles litter the highway in West Seneca, New York after roads were blocked with layers of snow. Photograph: Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News/Reuters

Three people lost their lives from apparent heart attacks -- two while shovelling snow and the other died while pushing a trapped car.

Steven Gros shovels snow from outside his home in Orchard Park, New York. Photograph: Judy Gros/Reuters

Schools were closed and driving bans were ordered following the blizzard.


A lake-effect snow storm with freezing temperatures produces a wall of snow travelling over Lake Erie into Buffalo, New York. Photograph: Gary Wiepert

Airports in Buffalo and Grand Rapids, Michigan, were forced to cancel flights as a result of the snow.  Authorities say there is so much accumulation that it can't just be plowed in most places - it must be scooped up and hauled away in order to clear roads.

A car is covered in snow in Orchard Park outside of Buffalo, New York. Photographer: Judith Gros/Reuters

Snow blown by strong winds forced the closure of a 132-mile stretch of the Thruway, the main highway across New York state. Another storm is expected on Thursday.

Temperatures will remain below normal from the Midwest to the East Coast until the weekend, with all 50 states recording below freezing temperatures on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. 

A man blows snow from his sidewalk in Buffalo, New York. Photograph: Lindsay DeDario/Reuters

Heavy Lake Effect snow falls and accumulates on a vehicle in the driveway of a home in Orchard Park, New York. Photographer: Judith Gros/Reuters

A single car drives along Route 190 in Buffalo, New York. Photographer: Lindsay DeDario/Reuters

A man plows snow off his sidewalk in Buffalo, New York. Photograph: Lindsay DeDario/Reuters

A woman walks down the middle of the street through the blowing snow in Buffalo, New York. Photograph: Lindsay DeDario/Reuters

Heavy Lake Effect snow falls in Orchard Park, New York. Photographer: Judith Gros