A STATE OF EMERGENCY has been declared in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey as a storm worked its way up the east coast of the US towards New York over the weekend.

New York, Philadelphia and Boston have declared ‘snow emergencies’.
Philly.com reports that several car parks in Philadelphia are offering reduced rates as cars will have to be moved from evacuation routes due to the city’s emergency status.

The New York Times reports that the severe weather and heavy snowfall is hampering rail, road and air travel, affecting thousands of people who planned to travel after Christmas. Airports in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts have closed amid deteriorating weather conditions.

RTÉ Radio One News said earlier this morning that Aer Lingus still expects to operate services to New York and Boston today, if those airports reopen later today. Anyone expecting to fly to the US today should check the status of their flight with their airline before leaving for the airport.