Snow storm leaves at least 17 dead
Thursday December 10 2009
A fierce storm blamed for at least 17 deaths left dangerous ice, heavy snow and vicious winds in its wake as it as it made its way from America's Midwest to the New England region.
The storm created blizzard conditions, burying cars under huge drifts.
Officials reported 16 inches of snow in Des Moines and nearly 19 inches just south of Madison, Wisconsin. Gusts of up to 50mph created snow drifts between eight and 15 feet high and even knocked down a two-storey Christmas tree in Champaign, Illinois.
The storm was blamed for at least 17 deaths, most in traffic accidents. Hundreds of schools cancelled classes, power was knocked out to thousands of people from Missouri to New York and hundreds of flights were axed.
Up to 7ins of snow fell in north-east Pennsylvania and 50mph winds were recorded near Pittsburgh.
High winds knocked down part of an abandoned four-storey brick building in New Castle.
