CALAMITY// A massive blizzard brought Washington, New York and other northeastern US cities to a standstill, killing at least 19 people in several states last month. Millions of residents, business owners and workers were affected; the storm was the second-biggest in New York City history. Thirteen people were killed in weather-related car crashes in Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. After dumping about two feet of snow in the Washington area, the storm unexpectedly strengthened as it spun northward and slammed into the New York metropolitan area. Millions of commuters across the eastern US battled disrupted transport systems struggling to recover from the huge blizzard. Slippery pavements, crippled train networks, treacherous roads and cancelled flights were among the problems workers faced. The US government in Washington, as well as many schools and businesses throughout the region, remained shut. As the clean up began, at least 36 people have been left dead.