National Guard ready for more snow in NY

Snow-laden western New York state braced for another wintery onslaught today, while in communities from the US Midwest to the Northeast storms closed schools, hit motorists and knocked out power.

The storms were blamed for at least one death in Ohio.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer activated elements of the state Army National Guard to assist in removing the massive amounts of snow in Oswego County on Lake Ontario and to prepare for other missions as needed.

Last Thursday, the governor declared a state disaster emergency for Oswego County and other areas battered by snows since February 2.

The National Weather Service forecast accumulations between 8 and 30 inches for areas around New York, with some locations receiving as much as 3 feet.

In Ohio, the storms were blamed for the death of a nine-year-old girl struck by a falling tree limb, and the State Highway patrol was investigating the death of a man who was driving an HGV when it ran off the road and into a ditch and hit a tree.

Schools across Ohio remained closed today for a second day. Ohio State University shut down after lunchtime Tuesday, the first time officials cancelled classes in four years.

The storm also threatened to put a deep freeze on some Valentine’s Day deliveries.

The snow also disrupted air traffic, with at least two major airlines – United and American – cancelling up to half of their morning flights today at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Wendy Abrams, city aviation department spokeswoman, warned travellers to expect delays and cancellations throughout the day.

In Indiana, most flights out of Indianapolis International Airport were cancelled yesterday.