Unprecedented US Ice Storm Outages

A storm that has blanketed much of the northeastern United States in ice has left 1.25 million homes and businesses without electricity, and officials say the power outages could last for several more days.

Parts of New England were hit with freezing rain that began late Thursday and continued over the weekend. The storm hit seven states, striking New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and New York the hardest. The governors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts have both declared a state of emergency.

A combination of low pressure, moist air, and cold, powerful winds produced the storm that swept through the region, toppling countless power lines and trees and closing hundreds of roads. Ice-covered trees have cracked and fallen on roads and cars.

In New Hampshire, emergency management officials, the Red Cross and local communities opened at least 25 shelters across the state last Friday as temperatures dropped. Lynch, who has requested federal help to receive generators, cots and other supplies from the government, urged residents to check on their neighbours, especially those who are elderly and live alone.