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Snow storms in US claim 11 lives Snow storms in US claim 14 lives
(about 4 hours later)
Snow storms in the central US have left at least 11 people dead and tens of thousands without electricity. Snow storms in the central US have left at least 14 people dead and tens of thousands without electricity, the Associated Press news agency reports.
The severe weather has caused hundreds of accidents, and reached as far south as Texas - where there was a 50-vehicle motorway pile-up. Hundreds of accidents were reported as far south as Texas, where there was a 50-vehicle motorway pile-up.
The storm has also felled trees and power lines and caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights.The storm has also felled trees and power lines and caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
More heavy snow has been forecast as the storms move into the Great Lakes region bordering Canada.More heavy snow has been forecast as the storms move into the Great Lakes region bordering Canada.
I know it's the holidays but we hope people use some common sense when travelling Sgt Chad BreuerGrant County Sheriff's Dept, Wisconsin
The US National Weather Service has issued several heavy snow and winter storm warnings.The US National Weather Service has issued several heavy snow and winter storm warnings.
Among others, north-central Idaho, western Montana, and north-east Wyoming were due to receive snow and freezing rain on Monday. Among others, north-central Idaho, western Montana, and western and north-east Wyoming were expected to suffer fresh falls of snow and freezing rain on Monday.
'Miserable Christmas''Miserable Christmas'
Officials reinforced their warnings to people to stay at home.
"I know it's the holidays but we hope people use some common sense when travelling," said Sergeant Chad Breuer in Wisconsin.
"There are a lot of people saying: 'Ill just leave that much earlier,' but still the roads are not favourable for travelling."
Multiple vehicle pile-ups closed major highways in the central states over the weekend.Multiple vehicle pile-ups closed major highways in the central states over the weekend.
In Minnesota alone, there were more than 300 road accidents and three deaths.In Minnesota alone, there were more than 300 road accidents and three deaths.
The roads aren't quite as ice-covered, but we're still telling people not to drive unless they have to Sgt Tim ElveDane County Sheriff's Office name="upagain"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of weather warnings
class="" href="#map">See map of affected areas At least nine people died in accidents in Wyoming, Indiana, and Wisconsin and deaths were also reported in Texas and Kansas.
Three other people died in accidents in Wyoming, three in Wisconsin and one each in Texas and Kansas.
The fatality in Texas came in a pile-up on Interstate 40.The fatality in Texas came in a pile-up on Interstate 40.
At least 16 people were taken to hospital, two with life-threatening injuries.At least 16 people were taken to hospital, two with life-threatening injuries.
Many in the pile-up were holidaymakers, including families with small children not dressed for the weather, police said.Many in the pile-up were holidaymakers, including families with small children not dressed for the weather, police said.
Winter storm warnings for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were being lifted on Monday.Winter storm warnings for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were being lifted on Monday.
But the authorities said this did not mean safer roads. But the authorities said this did not mean safer roads - with interstate routes still icy and rural roads even more dangerous.
"The roads aren't quite as ice-covered, but we're still telling people not to drive unless they have to," Sgt Tim Elve of the Dane County Sheriff's Office told the Associated Press news agency.
"The interstate is still slick, and the rural roads are really bad."
The BBC's Matthew Price in the US says Americans expect bad weather at this time of year and the country has the resources to cope.The BBC's Matthew Price in the US says Americans expect bad weather at this time of year and the country has the resources to cope.
But for some the fierce winter is making it a miserable Christmas, our correspondent adds.
But for some the fierce winter is making it a miserable Christmas, our correspondent adds.
Have you been caught in the snow? How are you and people in your community coping? Tell us how you are dealing with the extreme weather conditions or send us a picture to show us what it is like.Have you been caught in the snow? How are you and people in your community coping? Tell us how you are dealing with the extreme weather conditions or send us a picture to show us what it is like.
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