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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 declared a "major disaster" in North Carolina and New York state, as cresting rivers and floodwaters threaten communities in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene.
The move allows the two states to tap extra federal funds for relief efforts. Mr Obama's move allows the two states to tap extra funds for relief efforts.
President Obama earlier signed emergency declarations for other states including Vermont. Raging rivers along the eastern seaboard have given way to extensive flooding and prompted new rounds of evacuations in states like New Jersey.
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. The storm has been blamed for at least 44 deaths in 13 states.
Millions of people on the US east coast are still without power after Irene, which made landfall in the US on Saturday. Irene barrelled along the east coast over the weekend, delivering hurricane force winds in North Carolina and torrential rains in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont, which forced rivers to swell and caused extensive flooding.
Rescue operations continued into the night on Tuesday, clearing roads and delivering supplies to stranded towns. Mr Obama had earlier signed an emergency declaration for Vermont following the storm, which also caused nationwide damage estimated at more than $10bn (£6.5bn) and forced a shutdown of New York City.
Some areas are still at risk of flooding as some rivers are expected to crest on Wednesday. About two million of people on the US east coast are still without power after Irene wreaked havoc on both small towns and major cities, some far inland.
Rescue operations continued on Wednesday in the north-east, clearing roads and delivering supplies to stranded towns - where mud-coloured floodwaters had earlier washed homes and businesses away from their foundations.
In New Jersey, the Passaic River crested late on Tuesday, causing extensive flooding and prompting rescues in Paterson, the state's third-largest city.
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.
Some areas are still at risk of flooding as a series of rivers are expected to crest on Wednesday, the National Weather service says.
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 after making landfall as a category one hurricane in 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.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."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.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."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. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to 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 inland In Vermont on Tuesday night, more than 200 roads were blocked or had 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.
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.