Unusually heavy snowfall on US west coast is ‘once-in-a-generation’ event

California governor declares state of emergency in 13 counties while Portland, Oregon, sees second snowiest day in history

The west coast of the US, from Oregon to the mountains of California and the golf courses of Phoenix, has received nearly unprecedented levels of snowfall this week in what officials are calling a once-in-a-generation" event.

The mountainous regions of California have received so much snowfall - more than 40ft of snow since the start of the season - that entire towns have shut down as they are virtually cut off from the rest of the state. The governor has declared a state of emergency in 13 counties due to the unusual snowfall.