13 Dec 2008

Ice storms in north-east US

1:49 pm on 13 December 2008

An ice storm has knocked out power to about 1.2 million homes and businesses across New York and New England.

Government offices are shut in Maine and a state of emergency has been declared in New Hampshire where as many as 400,000 people are without power.

Massachusetts has deployed about National Guard troops to clear roads and help residents.

Governor Deval Patrick said on Friday that power may not be returned for many until Monday at the earliest.

About 318,000 customers in New England are without power and 190,000 in eastern New York. People are going to hotels or emergency shelters set up by the Red Cross in high schools.

Maine and Massachusetts also declared states of emergency.

Snow down south

Snow has fallen in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Up to eight inches were reported in some areas.

The BBC reports the snow in New Orleans was the first there in more than four years.