Thousands of people across large swathes of the north-eastern US and eastern Canada are clearing up after intense snow storm Nemo.

Several people died, among them an 11-year-old boy, and some 700,000 homes and businesses were left without power.

In many areas, more than three feet of snow fell in a matter of hours, downing power lines, grounding planes and paralyzing transport.

The states of Massachusetts and Connecticut lifted vehicle travel bans.

In New York’s Suffolk County, police said they had rescued hundreds of motorists stuck overnight on the Long Island Expressway.

However, as the snow storm moved gradually eastwards, coastal blizzard and flood warnings remained in effect.

The mayor of the Connecticut city of Stratford, John Harkins, said the snowfall was unprecedented in his lifetime.

“Even the ploughs are getting stuck,” John Harkins told local WITH television.

Thousands of people across large swathes of the north-eastern US and eastern Canada are clearing up after intense snow storm Nemo

More than 5,000 flights were cancelled on Saturday, though Boston’s Logan International Airport, and the three airports serving New York City were gradually re-opening.

Flights were expected to be back on close to normal schedules on Sunday, AP reported.

In New York’s central borough of Manhattan, normally bustling streets were quiet on Saturday – apart from snow blowers.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city had “dodged a bullet” after a little more than 11 inches fell in the city.

Several people died in the snow storm – some while trying to tackle the snow, others in car accidents. There were reported to be three deaths in Canada alone.

In Connecticut, an 80-year-old woman was reported to have been killed by a hit-and-run driver while clearing her driveway, and a 40-year-old man collapsed while clearing snow.

In Boston, officials said an 11-year-old boy had died from carbon monoxide poisoning as he sat in a car with the engine running for warmth.

[youtube _R_fWi_T_sk]