Deadly winter storms batter US East coast

(Vatican Radio) The southern United States has been pounded by yet another dangerous winter storm, which is pushing farther east and towards the coast.

At least 13 deaths have been blamed on the stormy weather across the south and thousands of flights across the country had been cancelled by midday Thursday.

Listen to the report by Tracey McClure...

Several days of sleet and snow brought massive traffic jams Wednesday with scenes of abandoned cars and vehicles sliding off the road in Raleigh North Carolina. The scenes brought back images of the last snow storm to hit Atlanta Georgia just a few weeks ago – but this time, people paid heed to authorities warnings and stayed home. Snow was forecast to stop falling and temperatures to rise in most of Georgia by late morning, but ice remains a concern, with refreezing possible overnight and into Friday.

Firemen are removing trees downed by heavy ice and snow and Utility workers are out en mass trying to get electricity and heat back on for more than half a million homes across the south. Some people could be in the dark for days.

As the storm makes its way up the already battered northeast, authorities have expressed concern for depleted salt supplies and schools which have run out of snow days.

Washington, D.C., could see around 8 inches of snow. Federal offices there were closed, and Reagan National Airport closed all runways. Boston also could see 8 inches; New York City could receive 6. The Philadelphia area could get a foot or more, and Portland, Maine, may see 8 or 9 inches.