US snowstorm causes mass disruption

Tens of thousands of people are without power across the eastern United States after heavy snow caused widespread disruption.

As much as one meter of snow fell in some areas.

US federal workers and school children got a day off on Monday as the heavy snow made travel nearly impossible.

A spokesman for the Washington DC metropolitan power company Pepco said during the height of snow more than 100 thousand customers were without power.

Tens of thousands of people are without power across the eastern  United States after heavy snow caused widespread disruption.

More than 100 crews are working to get a supplies restored to a remaining 35-thousand customers.

Bob Dobkin, Spokesman Washington Power Pepco, said, "We've got limbs on the lines. The crews have to get up in the buckets. Other crews, the tree crews have to, you know, remove the trees, the branches."

The heavy snowstorm also caused the roof of a fire station to collapse in Falls Church, Fairfax County.

No one was injured, but a fire engine, fire truck and medical units inside were damaged.

Some families have resorted to living under down comforters to keep warm.

Garages have turned into refrigerators and fireplaces into stoves.

Wnedy Petti, Bethesda Resident, said, "My biggest worry would be if I have to go back to work before we have power, because I need to keep my pets alive, my pipes from freezing and my mom comfortable."

Forecasters expect temperatures to hover around freezing for the next few days.

The next storm was expected to begin late on Tuesday afternoon and continue to around midday on Wednesday.