States receive major disaster designation as flooding continues
Flooding caused by heavy rains from tropical storm Irene continued in several U.S. states Wednesday, prompting President Barack Obama to officially name the incident a major disaster in North Carolina and New York. The official designation means the two states will join a growing list of those receiving additional federal disaster relief funding. In Vermont, washed out roads made rescue efforts difficult in at least 13 towns. Several rivers there are expected to crest Wednesday, leading to fears of further flooding in the inland state. Millions of Americans in the affected states remained without power after Irene swept through the eastern U.S. after landing on Saturday. An estimated 40 people have died in incidents related to the storm’s heavy wind and rain. Irene also caused around $10 billion in damage.