This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7782145.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ice storm cripples north-east US Ice storm cripples north-east US
(about 1 hour later)
As many as 1m people have been left without power in the north-eastern US after one of the worst ice storms in a decade crippled the electricity grid.As many as 1m people have been left without power in the north-eastern US after one of the worst ice storms in a decade crippled the electricity grid.
States of emergency have been declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and in parts of Maine and New York state.States of emergency have been declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and in parts of Maine and New York state.
Officials say the damage is extensive and it could take several days before all power is restored. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing.Officials say the damage is extensive and it could take several days before all power is restored. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing.
At least four people are so far thought to have died as a result of the storm.At least four people are so far thought to have died as a result of the storm.
The body of a public works supervisor was recovered from a reservoir in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday, a day after he responded to a call about tree branches downed by the storm.The body of a public works supervisor was recovered from a reservoir in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday, a day after he responded to a call about tree branches downed by the storm.
Meanwhile, a man in Danville, New Hampshire, died of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the generator he was using to heat his camper van. A couple also died in Glenville, New York, when a generator filled their house with the gas.Meanwhile, a man in Danville, New Hampshire, died of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the generator he was using to heat his camper van. A couple also died in Glenville, New York, when a generator filled their house with the gas.
A severe ice storm in December last year was blamed for the deaths of at least 22 people in the central US.A severe ice storm in December last year was blamed for the deaths of at least 22 people in the central US.
'Extensive' damage'Extensive' damage
About 1.4 million homes and businesses across the four affected states were left without electricity on Friday morning after a widespread overnight ice storm coated power lines, pylons and trees.About 1.4 million homes and businesses across the four affected states were left without electricity on Friday morning after a widespread overnight ice storm coated power lines, pylons and trees.
What is facing us is the apparent need to rebuild the entire infrastructure of some sections of the electrical delivery system Martin MurrayPublic Service of New Hampshire What is facing us is the apparent need to rebuild the entire infrastructure of some sections of the electrical delivery system Martin MurrayPublic Service of New Hampshire class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7782211.stm">In pictures: US ice storms
By Saturday evening, up to 1m remained without power, including more than 300,000 in New Hampshire, the worst affected state.By Saturday evening, up to 1m remained without power, including more than 300,000 in New Hampshire, the worst affected state.
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch on Saturday warned those affected that they should not expect power to be restored for several days.New Hampshire Governor John Lynch on Saturday warned those affected that they should not expect power to be restored for several days.
"If you don't have power, assume that you will not get it restored today, and right now make arrangements to stay someplace warm tonight," he said."If you don't have power, assume that you will not get it restored today, and right now make arrangements to stay someplace warm tonight," he said.
The state's largest utility company, Public Service of New Hampshire, said the damage was "extensive" and that an accurate assessment was a challenge due to the many impassable roads.The state's largest utility company, Public Service of New Hampshire, said the damage was "extensive" and that an accurate assessment was a challenge due to the many impassable roads.
"What is facing us is the apparent need to rebuild the entire infrastructure of some sections of the electrical delivery system," Martin Murray, a PSNH spokesman, told the Associated Press."What is facing us is the apparent need to rebuild the entire infrastructure of some sections of the electrical delivery system," Martin Murray, a PSNH spokesman, told the Associated Press.
Mr Lynch and his counterpart in Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, have declared full states of emergency and called up members of the National Guard to help.Mr Lynch and his counterpart in Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, have declared full states of emergency and called up members of the National Guard to help.
New Hampshire has also requested a federal emergency declaration. The government has already sent generators, cots and other supplies, state officials have said.New Hampshire has also requested a federal emergency declaration. The government has already sent generators, cots and other supplies, state officials have said.
In New York, Governor David Paterson has declared a state of emergency in 16 counties. All but five roads managed by state highway officials were cleared on Saturday, although trees are still collapsing because of ice on their branches.In New York, Governor David Paterson has declared a state of emergency in 16 counties. All but five roads managed by state highway officials were cleared on Saturday, although trees are still collapsing because of ice on their branches.
The governor of Maine, where more than 170,000 were without power on Saturday, has meanwhile declared a limited state of emergency, enabling utility crews to work longer hours.The governor of Maine, where more than 170,000 were without power on Saturday, has meanwhile declared a limited state of emergency, enabling utility crews to work longer hours.


Have you been affected by the ice-storms? Send us your comments using the form below:Have you been affected by the ice-storms? Send us your comments using the form below:
Send your pictures or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Name
Name