1.7 million US homes without electricity after storm

boston - In the north-east of the United States, about 1.7 million homes and business premises without power are due to a severe storm. Up to now, five people have been killed. In all cases, the victims were struck by a fallen tree or a wind-blown branch.

In a region between the states of Maine and Virginia wind speeds of up to 134 kilometers per hour are measured and there is also a lot of precipitation. In the city of Boston the streets were flooded and trees and electricity poles broke off. The highest water level is expected around midnight (local time). According to American meteorologists, nearly half a meter of snow fell in the states of New York and Pennsylvania.

A plane that was landing at Dulles Airport in Washington was in trouble because of the strong wind. The turbulence was so intense that almost all passengers had to surrender. The pilot finally managed to safely land the aircraft.

At airports in the region thousands of flights were canceled and train traffic came to a complete standstill. Many government offices remained closed on Friday. In the state of Virginia the governor has declared a state of emergency.