Sprawling storm brings parts of US to standstill

A local resident clears overnight snow from a driveway in Urbandale, Iowa (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A sprawling winter storm hit the US with strong thunderstorms and tornado warnings that brought cities across the Midwest to a standstill with more than half a foot of snow.

The violent storm with 55mph (88 kph) winds and hail moved through the Florida Panhandle and into parts of Alabama and Georgia by sunrise on Tuesday, along with at least several reports of radar-confirmed tornadoes, the US National Weather Service said.