In Pics | US Blizzard: Brutal winter storm kills dozens in US

More than 2,00,000 people across several eastern states in the United States woke up without power on Christmas morning and many more had their holiday travel plans upended. The intense snow and frigid cold also resulted in a rise in casualties as weather-related deaths rose to 32.

A brutal winter storm brought Christmas Day danger and misery to millions in America as intense snow and frigid cold gripped parts of the eastern United States, with weather-related deaths rising to at least 32. Credit: Reuters Photo

An emergency situation unfolded in Buffalo, in western New York, where a blizzard left the city deserted, with emergency and basic services unable to reach the worst-hit areas. Credit: AP Photo

Hochul told reporters that residents were still in the throes of a

The extreme weather sent wind chill temperatures in all 48 contiguous US states below freezing over the weekend, stranded holiday travellers with thousands of flights cancelled and trapped residents in ice-and-snow-encrusted homes. Credit: AFP Photo

Thirty-two weather-related deaths have been confirmed across nine states, including at least 13 in Erie County where Buffalo is located, with officials warning that the number is sure to rise. Credit: AP Photo

Due to frozen electric substations, some residents were not expected to regain power until December 27, with one frozen substation reportedly buried under 18 feet of snow, a senior county official said. Credit: AFP Photo

The storm, one of the fiercest in decades, forced the cancellation of nearly 3,000 US flights on December 25, according to tracking website Flightaware.com. Credit: AFP Photo

Travellers remained stranded or delayed at airports throughout Christmas Day including in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit and New York. Credit: AFP Photo

Road ice and white-out conditions also led to the temporary closure of some of the nation's busiest transport routes, including the cross-country Interstate 70. Credit: AFP Photo

A man clears his driveway of snow from an overnight storm in Provo, Utah. Credit: AFP Photo

Drivers were being warned not to take to the roads -- even as the nation reached what is usually its busiest time of year for travel. Credit: AFP Photo

At one point on December 24, nearly 1.7 million customers were without electricity in the biting cold, according to tracker poweroutage.us. Credit: AFP Photo

A view of snow following a blizzard in Sturgis, South Dakota, US. Credit: Reuters Photo