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Clean-up begins in U.S. East Coast after blizzard

Xinhua, January 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Residents began to shovel their way out of snow on Sunday after waking up to near-record snowfall that blanketed the U.S. East Coast and killed at least 18 people.

States and cities also began cleanup efforts that could last well into the week.

In Washington D.C., the storm left a total of 17.8 inches (45.2 cm) of snow, a tie with the fourth-largest snowfall in the U.S. capital's history, according to the National Weather Service.

In Glengarry, West Virginia, the blizzard dumped 42 inches (106.7 cm) of snow. A total of 17.8 inches (45.2 cm) were reported at Reagan National Airport and 22.4 inches (56.9 centimeters) landed at the National Zoo, which will be closed through Monday.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser asked for 4,000 people to help clean up the city, and more than 2,000 volunteers have already signed up.

Nick Carlos, who was digging his car out in Arlington, Virgina on Sunday morning, said that he "has never seen a snowfall like this in the last seven or eight years around the place."

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority had suspended operations through Sunday. Public schools would be closed in Washington and Maryland's Baltimore on Monday.

Travelling plans have also been disrupted after about 3,750 flights were canceled on Sunday, and 700 flights were canceled for Monday, according to FlightAware.com.

Airports in the Washington D.C. area were likely to remain closed Sunday with other airlines began cutting Monday service.

In New York City, the blizzard dumped more than 30 inches (76.2 cm) of snow in some parts. Snow left a total of 26.8 inches(68.07 cm) in Central Park, according to the National Weather Service, the second highest amount recorded since 1869.

On Sunday, a travel ban imposed on Saturday was lifted and some Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses resumed service. Schools will be open on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday.

Tens of thousand people in North Carolina and New Jersey were left without power at the height of the storm. Enditem