SNOWSTORM ENGULFS EASTCOAST

A winter storm is gripping the eastern US, dumping up to 16in (40cm) of snow in some areas, snarling up travel and cutting power supplies. Incidents thought to be storm-related claimed five lives and forecasters warned of 35mph (56km/h) winds in what may be the worst snowstorm in a decade. The 16in which fell at Reagan National Airport outside Washington was the most ever recorded on a single December day. The storm system is moving north toward New York and Boston.