Blizzard Nemo is battering north-eastern US knocking out power supply in tens of thousands of homes.

New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have all declared emergency where scores of inhabitants have been told to stay indoors. The "historic" storm has wreaked havoc on the transport system across the states.

Massachusetts has banned all non-essential vehicles on the roads. The storm is moving towards New England where it is likely to cause the worst devastation in recent times, say forecasters.

The winds are expected to continue battering at 75 mph leaving behind blankets of snow. In some places, not less than three feet of snow is expected to be dumped.

More than 4,000 flights have been cancelled across the states. Many train and bus services have been also been suspended.

"I don't think it's going to be as bad as they're saying, but I said that with Sandy, too. I'm filling up based on my experience with Sandy, in case there's no gas on Sunday or Monday," Lavel Samuels, 42, told the New York Times.

More than 350,000 homes and businesses have been left without power supply in Massachusetts while more than 179,000 homes and establishments do not have power in Rhode Island.

"This is a storm of major proportions. Stay off the roads. Stay home," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

The authorities have stocked up huge quantities of essentials such as salt as a standby measure. The storm has also triggered "panic-buying" in some parts as fuel shortages have been reported in Connecticut and New York City.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has urged people not to succumb to panic-buying and assured there is enough supply.