'Historic and destructive' storm could hit US

A potentially "historic and destructive" winter storm and blizzard will likely hit areas of Massachusetts beginning Monday night, dumping heavy snow and bringing strong winds, state emergency officials said Sunday.

Areas of New York, including the New York City metropolitan area, and the city of Boston are in the storm's path. Coastal New Jersey and parts of New England will also be affected, the National Weather Service said, CNN reported.

The storm isn't predicted to let up until Wednesday morning. Snow in the southeast part of Massachusetts could morph into a period of freezing rain. And a major northeaster is likely to develop Monday and move up the northeastern coast, forecasters said.

Travel across Massachusetts during the storm could be impossible and life-threatening, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency It's unclear just how much snow might be on the way but the National Weather Service is saying 1 to 2 feet is possible.

Eight counties in Massachusetts are already under a winter storm watch: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester, Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes.

A blizzard watch is in effect for Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties. Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes counties also face a high wind watch.

There could be coastal flooding in the state starting early Tuesday with pockets of major flooding on east-facing coast lines, the state emergency agency said.