国际英语新闻：U.S. capital paralyzed by heavy snowstorm

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow had fallen in Washington as of Saturday morning, leaving the capital area paralyzed and thousands of families without electricity.

"This extremely dangerous storm is expected to produce record snowfall for the Washington metropolitan area," the National Weather Service said, "the storm would be extremely hazardous and life-threatening, and all citizens are urged to remain in doors."

Rescuers clear the fallen trees amid a snowstorm in Virginia's Arlington County, the United States, Feb. 6, 2010. A likely record-setting blizzard wrapped the mid-Atlantic area of the United States on Saturday, leaving the nation's capital area paralyzed and thousands of families without electricity.

"The total accumulations of the widespread storm will reach 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 centimeters), with some locations in excess of 30 inches," the service predicted.

Local weather services predicted that the snow would last until mid- to late afternoon, dumping additional five to eight inches of snow in the capital.

Two people were reported to be killed in Virginia related to the snowstorm, according to the state police. 

A snow-sweeper clears the snow at the Ronald Reagan National Airport amid a snowstorm in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, Feb. 6, 2010. A likely record-setting blizzard wrapped the mid-Atlantic area of the United States on Saturday, leaving the nation's capital area paralyzed and thousands of families without electricity

Power companies have reported more than 230,000 customers without electricity as heavy snow weighed down trees and power lines.

All flights were canceled for Saturday at Reagan National Airport, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

A taxi is stranded in the snowstorm in Virginia's Arlington County, the United States, Feb. 6, 2010. A likely record-setting blizzard wrapped the mid-Atlantic area of the United States on Saturday, leaving the nation's capital area paralyzed and thousands of families without electricity.

Metro, the city's subway system, closed all above-the-ground portions, other public transportation mostly in paralysis, and postal services were suspended.

Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. each declared snow emergencies.

A resident clears the snow amid a snowstorm in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, Feb. 6, 2010. A likely record-setting blizzard wrapped the mid-Atlantic area of the United States on Saturday, leaving the nation's capital area paralyzed and thousands of families without electricity