**Blizzards in the Midwest of the US have brought record snowfalls, burying cars, closing schools and causing power cuts.**Wisconsin declared a state of emergency after getting up to 48cm (19 inches) of snow on Wednesday, and Iowa recorded the worst snowfall for 20 years.
In Illinois, gusts of 80km/h (50mph) created snow drifts of 4.5m (15 ft), the National Weather Service said.
The storm, which is heading eastwards, has been blamed for at least 16 deaths, most in traffic accidents.
Stranded
In one such incident, a 28-year-old woman was killed in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday night when a truck ploughing snow in a parking lot backed into her, police said.
In Iowa, meteorologists recorded the highest snowfall since 1988, which left motorists stranded and in need of rescue.
Meanwhile in Madison, the University of Wisconsin was forced to cancel classes for the first time since 1990.
Across the country, flights have been cancelled, roads closed and power cut off to thousands of people.
The snowstorm is forecast to continue eastward on Thursday, bringing 3 to 5 inches of snow over New England and the north-east.