Seven dead as 'historic' snowstorms bury north-eastern United States A massive snowstorm has stranded motorists, cancelled flights, prompted a state of emergency in western New York, and left at least seven people dead in the north-eastern United States. Temperatures in all 50 US states dipped below freezing on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal from the Midwest to the east coast until the weekend. Some areas east and southeast of Buffalo, in northern New York, could receive a year's accumulation of snow in just three days, officials said. Snow is cleared from the road in Lancaster, New York, on Wednesday. A state of emergency and travel bans are in effect across Buffalo's Erie County and authorities ordered people to stay off the roads to allow crews to clear as many roads as possible. "The important thing to remember is that the storm isn't over and people should prepare for at least two more days of bad winter weather," said deputy Erie County executive Rich Tobe. County spokesman Peter Anderson confirmed five storm-related fatalities. Three people died from apparent heart attacks while shovelling snow. A truck driver looks at his trapped vehicle in Boston, New York. US media reported two other deaths in the states of New Hampshire and Michigan. National Guard units were called in to assist after crews from New York's transportation department worked through the night to rescue stranded motorists and take people to shelters. Anderson said all the runways at Buffalo Niagara International Airport were open, but that "a lot of flights" were being cancelled because people cannot get to the airport. Typically, such cold is not seen until late December through February, the National Weather Service said. A massive band of "lake effect" snow moves through the south of Buffalo, New York. Photo: AP/Buffalo News "Some parts of our county are going to receive a year's worth of snowfall in three days," Erie county executive Mark Poloncarz said, adding that three people have died from apparent heart attacks while shovelling snow, and another while pushing a trapped car. "That is somewhat of an extreme event," weather forecaster Dave Zaff said. From a forecast standpoint, it will be historic. The impact alone when you have hundreds of thousands of people stranded, roads closed everywhere, you start to get fatalities, it becomes a very memorable event that people will never forget. Other paramedics used snowmobiles on rescue calls to travel on the buried streets. Snow fell at a rate of up to 13 centimetres an hour and some areas approached the US record for 24-hour snowfall totals of 193 centimetres, the National Weather Service said. In Florida, freezing temperatures were expected through Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said. "I can't stand it," said Robin Roy, 53, shivering underneath a rainbow-coloured poncho at an outdoor market in Gulfport, Florida.