A cold spell and powerful blizzard through northeast US have killed at least 17 people in the past few days.  From Baltimore to Caribou, Maine, street crews raced through the night to clear snow-clogged streets, even as wind chill temperatures reached minus 40 degrees Celsius in some parts. Officials also reported traffic accidents throughout the region. The storm's reach is said to extend to eastern Canada. Nearly 500 members of the National Guard were activated along the East Coast to assist with emergency response.