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Irene floods in North Carolina and New York 'disaster' | Irene floods in North Carolina and New York 'disaster' |
(40 minutes later) | |
US President Barack Obama has officially declared the floods caused by Tropical Storm Irene in North Carolina and New York a major disaster. | |
The move allows the two states to tap extra federal funds for relief efforts. | |
The White House has also issued emergency declarations for other states including Vermont. | |
About 40 people in the US were killed by the storm, which also caused damage estimated at more than $10bn (£6.5bn) and forced a shutdown of New York City. | About 40 people in the US were killed by the storm, which also caused damage estimated at more than $10bn (£6.5bn) and forced a shutdown of New York City. |
Millions of people on the US east coast are still without power after Irene, which made landfall in the US on Saturday. | Millions of people on the US east coast are still without power after Irene, which made landfall in the US on Saturday. |
It swept up the heavily populated eastern seaboard from North Carolina. By the time it reached New York, it had been downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm. | It swept up the heavily populated eastern seaboard from North Carolina. By the time it reached New York, it had been downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm. |
Nonetheless, the New York subway system was closed for the first time in its history because of a natural disaster, while 370,000 people living in low-lying areas were ordered to leave their homes. | Nonetheless, the New York subway system was closed for the first time in its history because of a natural disaster, while 370,000 people living in low-lying areas were ordered to leave their homes. |
Destruction inland | |
In Vermont on Tuesday night, more than 200 roads were blocked or have been washed away, hampering rescue efforts to as many as 13 towns. | In Vermont on Tuesday night, more than 200 roads were blocked or have been washed away, hampering rescue efforts to as many as 13 towns. |
National Guard troops flew in food, water and other emergency supplies to cut-off areas in the rural, mountainous state. | National Guard troops flew in food, water and other emergency supplies to cut-off areas in the rural, mountainous state. |
They also brought in some provisions by road, using heavy-duty lorries. | They also brought in some provisions by road, using heavy-duty lorries. |
Vermont Governor Pete Shumlin said it was | |
On Monday, President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration for Vermont. | |
Irene had been expected to bring the most havoc to coastal areas, but some of its worst destruction took place far inland. | Irene had been expected to bring the most havoc to coastal areas, but some of its worst destruction took place far inland. |
New Jersey and upstate New York have also been badly affected as the rain from Irene swells rivers and flows south. | New Jersey and upstate New York have also been badly affected as the rain from Irene swells rivers and flows south. |