Emergency declaration

US East Coast blanketed by 'bombogenesis' snowstorm

Five states declared an emergency hours before heavy snow and hurricane-force winds blasted the area.

Experts warn of "historic" snowfall in some places, and flood warnings have been issued near the coast. More than 5000 US flights have been cancelled.

As the storm arrived, more than 116,000 households across Massachusetts were without power.

Forecasters said there was a chance the storm, known as a Nor'easter, will blanket the Boston area with up to 61cm of snow, and up to 30cm of snow has already fallen in parts of New York.

Typhoon-hit CNMI asks US for emergency declaration

Ralph Torres sent the request to Donald Trump overnight as the storm passed over the island of Rota.

Mr Torres said the heightened and erratic state of the storm threatened destruction and the impact could become catastrophic.

The statement said the worst conditions from Typhoon Mangkhut had passed but windshield assessments indicated significant damage on Rota and some damage on the islands of Saipan and Tinian.