© AFP/Getty Images/Scott HalleranA pizza delivery man crosses a street in the falling snow to make a delivery in the Montford neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina. Northeastern United States from North Carolina to Connecticut was under a winter storm warning Friday, as a major storm system threatens to dump up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) of snow in the region, weather forecasters said.
A major storm moving up the Atlantic Coast on the last shopping weekend before Christmas threatened to shut down much of the region as officials warned of up to 20 inches of snow and significant power outages.
People stocked up on groceries and other staples Friday after the National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from the Carolinas to Rhode Island.
In Virginia, Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, placing the National Guard and other agencies on standby. Philadelphia officials also declared a state of emergency and the school district canceled all weekend activities. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley urged motorists to stay home if possible.
Some shoppers were trying to get their holiday buying done before the snow hit.
"Most of them are coming in this morning to shop before they get snowed in," said Kayla Mahr at the Bath and Body shop at the River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg, Va.
The Federal Aviation Administration said departing flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were delayed by as much as an hour Friday because of rain and wind. United Airlines said it had already canceled more than 140 Saturday flights on the East Coast ahead of Saturday's weather.
