This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-14720910

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Irene floods: Supplies airlifted to Vermont towns Irene floods: Supplies airlifted to Vermont towns
(about 2 hours later)
Soldiers have begun airlifting storm-relief supplies to Vermont towns which are still cut off after the trail of destruction left by Irene. Soldiers have been airlifting storm-relief supplies to Vermont towns which remain cut off after the trail of destruction left by Irene.
More than 200 roads are blocked or washed away in Vermont, hampering rescue efforts to 13 towns.More than 200 roads are blocked or washed away in Vermont, hampering rescue efforts to 13 towns.
Irene killed 44 people in 13 US states, according to the Associated Press, and caused billions of dollars' damage.Irene killed 44 people in 13 US states, according to the Associated Press, and caused billions of dollars' damage.
President Barack Obama pledged storm-stricken areas would have "the support they need so that folks can recover". About half of the 6.7 million utility customers on the east coast who lost power still have no electricity.
"A lot of our fellow citizens are still reeling from Hurricane Irene and its aftermath," he told a military veterans event in Minneapolis.
'Irene whacked us'
President Obama's remarks came a day after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) warned of shortfalls in a disaster relief fund.
The agency's director, Craig Fugate, toured Vermont by helicopter on Tuesday, after warning that some projects to rebuild areas of the Midwest struck by tornados earlier in the year could be postponed.
Vermont National Guard troops were bringing food, water and other emergency supplies via air and road to the rural and mountainous state.
"We've got a long slog ahead," Governor Peter Shumlin told MSNBC television. "Irene really whacked us hard."
During a trip to storm-stricken North Carolina, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she was unaware of anything federal authorities should have done differently in Vermont.
She added that Fema would continue to work closely with agencies in the state.
Vermont is reeling from its worst floods since 1927, and officials warned some rivers and creeks there had yet to crest.Vermont is reeling from its worst floods since 1927, and officials warned some rivers and creeks there had yet to crest.
Irene passed into Canada on Sunday, after causing havoc along the US east coast from North Carolina to Vermont. 'Irene whacked us'
Missing men National Guard troops flew in food, water and other emergency supplies to the rural, mountainous state on Tuesday.
In eastern Canada, crews continue to clean up debris and work to restore electricity to thousands who lost power. They also brought in some provisions by road, using heavy-duty lorries.
An 81-year-old man who left his cabin in Quebec during the storm was found dead just over a mile away, the CBC reported. Irene had been expected to bring the most havoc to coastal areas, but some of its worst destruction took place far inland.
Police are still searching for another man who was swept away in Yamaska, north-east of Montreal, as two cars plunged into a chasm created when a road was washed away in a river. Governor Peter Shumlin told MSNBC television: "We've got a long slog ahead. Irene really whacked us hard."
Most of the 44 storm-related deaths recorded so far in the US were caused by falling trees, ocean waves, downed power lines and raging floods. In the Vermont town of Rochester, one resident, Wendy Pratt, used a generator to post an update on Facebook to tell of the grim destruction.
Driving rains and flood tides damaged homes and cut power to more than three million people in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York alone. "People have lost their homes, their belongings, businesses," Ms Pratt wrote.
Meanwhile, nearly 100 people remained stranded in mountain towns in New York State due to washed out roads and bridges. The storm dumped 13in (33cm) of rain on the state. "The cemetery was flooded and caskets were lost down the river. So many areas of complete devastation."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said dozens of bridges and roadways would need repairing and that some of the state's rivers had yet to crest from flooding. Newlyweds' narrow escape
Insurance claims could top $7bn (£4.3bn), the Consumer Federation of America estimated. In the Vermont town of Pittsfield, two newlyweds from New York City were stranded on Sunday after rising floodwaters hit their honeymoon cottage.
Claims for wind damage are expected to be one sixth of the total sum from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and claims for flood damage one tenth, the CFA estimated. Marc Leibowitz and Janina Stegmeyer said they just escaped in a car before a bridge collapsed. Dozens of their wedding guests were airlifted out by helicopter on Tuesday.
In New Jersey, the Passaic River measured 13ft (4m) above flood stage on Tuesday, the highest level since 1903, police sergeant Alex Popov said.
Emergency teams working in the state's Paterson city have rescued nearly 600 people from flooded homes in recent days.
Governor Chris Christie warned more flooding was likely over the next 48 hours.
"For members of these communities who have lost everything, relief cannot come soon enough for them," Gov Christie said.
Meanwhile, nearly 100 people remained stranded in mountain towns in New York state because of to washed out roads and bridges. The storm dumped 13in (33cm) of rain on the state.
'$20bn economic toll'
Airlines said it would be days before the thousands of passengers stranded by Irene find their way home.
The Amtrak railway service was suspended on Tuesday between Philadelphia and New York because of flooding.
The total economic damage caused by the storm could reach $20bn (£12bn), Standard & Poor's Senior Economist Beth Ann Bovino told Reuters news agency.
Irene hit North Carolina on Saturday as a hurricane, before moving north over major east coast cities, and weakening to a tropical storm over New England.
Even though it dissipated as it reached eastern Canada, Irene still caused chaos there. Crews are trying to clean up debris and restore electricity to thousands of householders.
Police are still searching for a motorist who was swept away on a flooded road in Yamaska, Quebec.
And CBC reported that an 81-year-old man who left his cabin in Quebec during the storm was found dead just over a mile away.
Five people also died in the Dominican Republic and Haiti as Irene blew through the Caribbean.
Are you in Canada or the US? Have you been affected by the storm? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.Are you in Canada or the US? Have you been affected by the storm? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions