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US storm-hit millions lack electricity amid heatwave US storm-hit millions lack electricity amid heatwave
(40 minutes later)
About two million people remain without power in the eastern US following storms that have been blamed for 18 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.
Amid an ongoing heatwave, 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 roads closed, non-emergency government employees have been told to work from home. With dozens of roads closed, a number of non-emergency government employees were 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.
Power outages persisted on Monday from North Carolina to New Jersey, and as far west as Illinois.Power outages persisted on Monday from North Carolina to New Jersey, and as far west as Illinois.
Thousands of people were without power in the metropolitan Washington DC area.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 householders have no air conditioning, while their food rots in fridge freezers. With temperatures topping 100F (37C), many householders have no functioning air conditioning or refrigerators.
Bob Ambrosini, who had no power at his home in the Washington DC suburb of Great Falls, told the Washington Post: "I've been living in the swimming pool."
Officials are urging residents to check up on 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. On Monday, the National Weather Service issued heat advisories for 17 US states. High temperatures are forecast throughout the week.
More than 400 traffic lights were still not 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 fatalities:
  • 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?
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