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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.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 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. President Obama earlier signed 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.
President Obama had already declared a major disaster in the US territory of Puerto Rico, which felt the early force of Irene as it moved through the Caribbean.
Emergency declarations were issued for states along the eastern seaboard from North Carolina through the Washington DC area and onwards to New York and the New England states.
Destruction inlandDestruction 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.
However, roads to all but one of the towns have now re-opened, although most are passable only by emergency vehicles.
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 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 runoff from Irene swells rivers and flows south.
In Paterson, New Jersey, emergency teams were rescuing and evacuating residents after the Passaic River crested 13ft (4m) above its banks - its highest level since 1903.
In Connecticut, the National Weather Service has warned of moderate to major flooding on the Connecticut River. The river crested at Middletown, Connecticut with a level of 15.4ft on Wednesday morning, the weather service said.