Walter Shimkus works a snow blower along Chicago Avenue in Chicago February 2, 2011. A huge winter storm pummeled the United States, bringing parts of the Midwest to a standstill, delivering another wintry swipe to the Northeast and disrupting flights and other transport. Some 17 inches of snow had fallen on Chicago by early Wednesday morning and snowfalls of a foot or more recorded from Oklahoma City to Kansas City and Indianapolis. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)