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US storm woe endures for millions US storm-hit millions lack electricity amid heatwave
(40 minutes later)
Nearly three million people remain without power in the eastern US following storms that have been blamed for 17 deaths since Friday. About two million people remain without power in the eastern US following storms that have been blamed for 18 deaths since Friday.
Utilities warn it could take several more days to restore electricity to many households. Amid an ongoing heatwave, utilities warn it could take several more days to restore electricity to many households.
With dozens of routes still closed, non-emergency government employees are being told to work from home. With dozens of roads closed, non-emergency government employees have been told to work from home.
Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio and the District of Columbia declared states of emergency over the weekend.Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio and the District of Columbia declared states of emergency over the weekend.
Almost 2.7 million people remained without power from Virginia to New Jersey by late Sunday. Power outages persisted on Monday from North Carolina to New Jersey, and as far west as Illinois.
There were about 1,000 signal outages just in northern Virginia and Maryland. Thousands of people were without power in the metropolitan Washington DC area.
Governor's tough talkGovernor's tough talk
With temperatures topping 100F (37C), many households have no air conditioning, while food rots in unconnected fridge freezers. With temperatures topping 100F (37C), many householders have no air conditioning, while their food rots in fridge freezers.
Officials are urging residents to check up on their elderly or sick neighbours. Officials are urging residents to check up on elderly or sick neighbours.
By Monday, more than 400 traffic lights were still no working in Maryland.
The damage was mostly blamed on a meteorological phenomenon known as a derecho - straight-line winds, buffeted ahead of fast-moving thunderstorms - which struck on Friday night.The damage was mostly blamed on a meteorological phenomenon known as a derecho - straight-line winds, buffeted ahead of fast-moving thunderstorms - which struck on Friday night.
Trees falling on homes and cars have been blamed for most of the extreme weather-related deaths.Trees falling on homes and cars have been blamed for most of the extreme weather-related deaths.
Among the six killed in Virginia was a 90-year-old woman who was asleep in bed when a tree fell on her home.Among the six killed in Virginia was a 90-year-old woman who was asleep in bed when a tree fell on her home.
Two young cousins camping in New Jersey died when a tree collapsed on their tent. Two others died in Maryland, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and another in Washington DC.Two young cousins camping in New Jersey died when a tree collapsed on their tent. Two others died in Maryland, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and another in Washington DC.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Coast Guard have abandoned the search for a man who vanished early on Saturday while boating during a storm off Maryland
  • A 77-year-old man died on Sunday night in Pitt County, North Carolina when a barn collapsed where he was parking a vehicle amid high winds
  • A tree killed a couple when it hit their golf cart in Beaufort County, North Carolina
  • Coast Guard have abandoned the search for a man who vanished early on Saturday while boating during a storm off Maryland
  • A 77-year-old man died on Sunday night in Pitt County, North Carolina when a barn collapsed where he was parking a vehicle amid high winds
  • A tree killed a couple when it hit their golf cart in Beaufort County, North Carolina
Utility workers have been drafted in from as far away as Florida and Oklahoma to help turn the power back on.Utility workers have been drafted in from as far away as Florida and Oklahoma to help turn the power back on.
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley said he would ensure utility companies restored electricity quickly.Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley said he would ensure utility companies restored electricity quickly.
"No-one will have his boot further up Pepco's and BGE's backsides than I will," he said on Sunday afternoon, referring to the two main power firms serving the state."No-one will have his boot further up Pepco's and BGE's backsides than I will," he said on Sunday afternoon, referring to the two main power firms serving the state.
The storm damage also caused online disruption, with Netflix, Instagram and Pinterest services temporarily disabled.The storm damage also caused online disruption, with Netflix, Instagram and Pinterest services temporarily disabled.
Have you been affected by the storms? Are you involved in the clean-up operation?Have you been affected by the storms? Are you involved in the clean-up operation?
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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