At least nine people have been killed as a dangerous storm begins to pound the US Middle Atlantic states.

More than 85 million people in the United States have been told they're dicing with death, if they brave the monster blizzard bearing down on eastern states.

The storm is being described as the worst in almost a century, with 60 centimetres of snow expected to fall on areas between Washington DC and New York.

The governor of Virginia is also warning people to stay off the roads.

The storm is being described as the worst in almost a century, with 60 centimetres of snow expected to fall on areas between Washington DC and New York.

Homeland Security's Chris Geldart says residents should stay indoors and certainly off the roads until the worst is over.

So far the storm has forced more than 6,500 flight cancellations.