An intense winter storm has affected the U.S. north-east after creating chaos in the south. More than half a million homes and businesses faced power problem and thousands of flights were cancelled. Twenty two states from Texas to Maine have been affected with report of death of 12 people. The most crowded stretch between Washington DC and Boston is expected to get up to 8in (20cm) of snow. On its way to New York, the storm dumped around 12in (30cm) of snow in the Washington DC area. National Weather Service forecast says the stretch from north-eastern Pennsylvania to New England could see 10-20in of snow on Thursday.

Travel is being affected in a massive way with roads being covered with snow and flights getting cancelled or delayed. In the nation’s capital, streets covered in snow were deserted during morning and the federal government shut down its offices. Around 5000 flights have been cancelled so far.