Hurricane Florence is on course to deliver a powerful blow to the east coast of the United States, with forecasters warning of life-threatening rainfall and flooding even as it weakened to a Category 2 storm.

At least five people are killed after a major winter storm pounds the US East Coast, with strong winds, heavy rain and snow disrupting thousands of flights and forcing the closure of federal government offices in Washington.

A massive blizzard bringing more than 2ft (60cm) of snow and punishing winds is advancing up the US East Coast.

A monster blizzard threatening the US East Coast slams into Washington, blanketing the nation's capital in snow as officials urged millions in the storm's path to seek shelter, warning the worst was yet to come.