Washington - Residents began to shovel their way out of the snow on Sunday after waking up to near-record snowfall that blanketed the United States East Coast and killed at least 18 people.
Clean-up efforts could last well into the week.
In Washington D.C., the storm left a total of 45.2 cm of snow - a tie with the fourth-largest snowfall in the US capital's history, according to the National Weather Service.
In Glengarry, West Virginia, the blizzard dumped 106.7 cm of snow. A total of 45.2 cm were reported at Reagan National Airport and 56.9 cm landed at the National Zoo, which will be closed throughout Monday.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser asked for 4 000 people to help clean up the city, and more than 2 000 volunteers have already signed up.
Nick Carlos, who was digging his car out in Arlington, Virgina on Sunday morning, said that he "has never seen a snowfall like this in the last seven or eight years…”
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority had suspended operations on Sunday.
Public schools will be closed in Washington and Maryland's Baltimore on Monday.
In New York City, the blizzard dumped more than 76.2 cm of snow in some parts. Snow left a total of 68.07 cm in Central Park, according to the National Weather Service - the second highest amount recorded since 1869.
On Sunday, a travel ban imposed on Saturday was lifted and some Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses resumed service.
Schools will be open on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday.
Tens of thousands of people in North Carolina and New Jersey were left without power at the height of the storm. – SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua
