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Irene floods in North Carolina and New York 'disaster' | Irene floods in North Carolina and New York 'disaster' |
(about 1 hour 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. |
President Obama earlier signed 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. |
Rescue operations continued into the night on Tuesday, clearing roads and delivering supplies to stranded towns. | |
Some areas are still at risk of flooding as some rivers are expected to crest on Wednesday. | |
Help requested | |
Irene 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. | 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. |
Earlier, 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. | |
A disaster declaration is granted by the president upon request from a state when the cost of damage is so great that the state needs additional funding for relief operations. | |
Emergency declarations apply in less severe situations but must still be requested from the president on a state-by-state basis. | |
Destruction inland | 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. |
However, roads to all but one of the towns have now re-opened, although most are passable only by emergency vehicles. | 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 lorries. | They also brought in some provisions by road, using heavy lorries. |
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 runoff 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 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. | 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. |