Snow storms bring death in the US

Snowstorms were blamed for at least nine deaths in the US today prompting authorities to discourage travel.

Winter storm warnings were in effect from the mountains of New Mexico to Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, and storm watches were in effect for Christmas Day in New York state, New Jersey and New England,

Up to a foot of snow fell in Oklahoma, giving many parts of the state their first white Christmas since 1975.

In Texas, the storm system produced thunderstorms and tornadoes, injuring at least one person and damaging several homes.

Wind gusted to 65 mph in Houston, toppling a wall at a shopping mall, knocking out power and uprooting trees. Multiple tornadoes were spotted l about 40 miles to the east, and several homes were damaged.