Heavy snow storms battering New York and other parts of the Eastern coast of the United States have claimed the lives of at least 16 people, Sky News reports.

The heavy snow storms, which began on Thursday left nearly two feet of snow.

Almost 2,000 flights have been cancelled across the country as howling wind and sub-zero temperatures wreaked havoc.

Governors in New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency and urged residents to stay at home, while hundreds of schools were shut down in Boston and New York.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “This is nothing to be trifled with. People should seriously consider staying in their homes.”

The deaths include those caused by difficult traffic conditions in Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.

A massive pile of salt fell on a worker at a Philadelphia storage facility, killing him. Authorities also report that a woman with Alzheimer’s disease froze to death after she wandered away from her rural New York home.

Forecasters say temperatures were plummeting to well below freezing, and wind chill readings could hit minus 10F (-23C).

Another wave of cold air was already blasting through the Midwest after moving down from Canada.

Outreach teams were searching streets in New York City and Boston for homeless people at risk of freezing to death.

Meanwhile, some major highways in New York state were shut down overnight, and some commuter trains around New York City were operating on a reduced schedule.

Amtrak planned to run trains on all of its Northeast lines on Friday but operate on a modified schedule, spokeswoman Christina Leeds said.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ordered non-essential state workers to stay at home, with state offices and courthouses closed.

The snowstorm worked its way east from the Midwest, where it dropped up to 17 inches of snow in parts of Chicago and prompted the cancellation of hundreds of flights at both of the city’s airports.

- See more at: http://www.urnaija.com/bad-weather-claims-16-lives-in-the-us-grounds-services/

This snow must be very dangerous. If people can be dying in New York and New Jersey, i wonder what's happening in Minnesota, Alaska and Canada.

That's sad. Can't imagine Nigeria having such climatic change coupled with other crises we're experiencing already. it'd be Hell.

Dannylux: That's sad. Can't imagine Nigeria having such climatic change coupled with other crises we're experiencing already. it'd be Hell.

There's a balance in the world. You can't have it all. That's why i wonder if Nigeria will ever get developed like these countries.

Afam4eva:
There's a balance in the world. You can't have it all. That's why i wonder if Nigeria will ever get developed like these countries.

Nature plays her role perfectly.

I wonder likewise when Nigeria and Africa would attain such heights of development.