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-14731768

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
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.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.Some areas are still at risk of flooding as some rivers are expected to crest on Wednesday.
Help requestedHelp 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.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.
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut requested disaster declarations on Tuesday.
In a letter to the president, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York said that he had seen "hundreds of private homes destroyed or with major damage and an enormous amount of public infrastructure damage."
These sentiments were echoed by Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, whose state has not yet been designated a disaster funds recipient.
Mr Christie wrote to the president saying that "immediate federal assistance is needed now to give New Jersey's residents a helping hand at an emotionally and financially devastating time."
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will visit the state on Wednesday to survey the damage.
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.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.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.Emergency declarations apply in less severe situations but must still be requested from the president on a state-by-state basis.
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.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.