Big freeze grips eastern US

Emergencies have been declared in some states

Snowstorms have swept across the eastern United States, leaving more than a million people without power and causing travel chaos.

Blizzards and freezing rain have struck from the Texas panhandle to Virginia, with freezing conditions blamed for at least six traffic deaths.

The best thing for people to do is stay inside, off the roads and out of harm's way

Mike Easley, North Carolina governor

North and South Carolina have been hardest hit. Frozen branches have broken off trees, bringing down electricity lines and causing mass blackouts.

Thousands of schools have been forced to shut and businesses have been urged to let workers go home early.

"The best thing for people to do is stay inside, off the roads and out of harm's way," said North Carolina Governor Mike Easley.

Snowdrifts

Up to 25 centimetres (10 inches) of snow has fallen from northern Texas up to New York City.

In New York, commuters turned to old-fashioned transport

Rush hour traffic in most major cities has ground to a halt, as piles of snow block roads and freeways.

In New York, roads have been mostly clear, but pedestrians are battling freezing temperatures and trudging through sludge.

Most airports remain open, with snow ploughs and de-icers constantly working to keep runways clear.

The bad weather has hit as far south as the Sunshine State of Florida, where the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has been forced to postpone the landing of the space shuttle Endeavour.

Schools shut

Snow emergencies have been declared in Washington and Philadelphia, where schools were closed before the snow arrived.

Many people have left their cars at home

In the Charlotte area of North Carolina, 100,000 students were sent home early on Wednesday and classes were cancelled again on Thursday.

The icy conditions caused multiple traffic accidents, with fatalities in Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina.

"We've got wrecks everywhere," said Sgt D.A. Shaver, of Virginia State Police.

"We're calling troopers in to handle the influx, but it will get worse before it gets better," he said.

Forecasters said the big freeze would thaw over the next 24 hours, but officials urged citizens to exercise caution.