This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7780562.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Southern US hit by rare snowfall Southern US hit by rare snowfall
(2 days later)
Snow has blanketed parts of the US states of Louisiana and Mississippi, causing disruption and leaving thousands without power.Snow has blanketed parts of the US states of Louisiana and Mississippi, causing disruption and leaving thousands without power.
Up to eight inches of snow were reported in some areas, blocking roads and forcing offices to close.Up to eight inches of snow were reported in some areas, blocking roads and forcing offices to close.
In Mississippi some schools were shut, and forecasters warned of treacherous driving conditions.In Mississippi some schools were shut, and forecasters warned of treacherous driving conditions.
The north-east of the country was also hit by winter weather, with a state of emergency in place in two states.The north-east of the country was also hit by winter weather, with a state of emergency in place in two states.
The snow in the Louisiana city of New Orleans was its first in more than four years.The snow in the Louisiana city of New Orleans was its first in more than four years.
It caused considerable excitement, with office workers taking to the streets to watch and photograph the snow.It caused considerable excitement, with office workers taking to the streets to watch and photograph the snow.
At a park in New Orleans' Uptown neighbourhood, Sara Echaniz, 41, took photos and dodged snowballs thrown by her son, three-year-old Sam.At a park in New Orleans' Uptown neighbourhood, Sara Echaniz, 41, took photos and dodged snowballs thrown by her son, three-year-old Sam.
"He didn't believe it was snow until it started sticking to the ground," Ms Ecahniz said."He didn't believe it was snow until it started sticking to the ground," Ms Ecahniz said.
Eight inches of snow fell in Amite, about 75 miles (121 km) north-west of New Orleans, a meteorologist said. In Mississippi, up to five inches of snow fell in some southern parts of the state.Eight inches of snow fell in Amite, about 75 miles (121 km) north-west of New Orleans, a meteorologist said. In Mississippi, up to five inches of snow fell in some southern parts of the state.
About 10,000 power cuts were reported by Cleco Corp, one of Louisiana's largest power providers, and some flights at Louis Armstrong International Airport outside New Orleans were delayed.About 10,000 power cuts were reported by Cleco Corp, one of Louisiana's largest power providers, and some flights at Louis Armstrong International Airport outside New Orleans were delayed.
Snow is rare in southern Louisiana, although more northern parts of the state see it about once a year.Snow is rare in southern Louisiana, although more northern parts of the state see it about once a year.
State of emergencyState of emergency
Meanwhile in the north-east of the US an ice storm knocked out power to more than half a million homes and businesses in New England and upstate New York.AdvertisementMeanwhile in the north-east of the US an ice storm knocked out power to more than half a million homes and businesses in New England and upstate New York.Advertisement
Aerial footage of the icestorm Aerial footage of the ice storm
Governors in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire declared a state of emergency. Schools were closed and travel disrupted across the region.Governors in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire declared a state of emergency. Schools were closed and travel disrupted across the region.
"I urge all New Hampshire citizens to take sensible precautions and heed all warnings from public officials," said New Hampshire Governor John Lynch."I urge all New Hampshire citizens to take sensible precautions and heed all warnings from public officials," said New Hampshire Governor John Lynch.
Fire departments in New Hampshire were responding to reports of transformer explosions and downed power lines and trees.Fire departments in New Hampshire were responding to reports of transformer explosions and downed power lines and trees.
Public Service Company of New Hampshire said an unprecedented 230,000 customers - nearly half of the homes and businesses it serves - were without power at one point.Public Service Company of New Hampshire said an unprecedented 230,000 customers - nearly half of the homes and businesses it serves - were without power at one point.
The outages had far surpassed the infamous ice storm of 1998, when some residents spent more than a week without power, utility officials said.The outages had far surpassed the infamous ice storm of 1998, when some residents spent more than a week without power, utility officials said.