Killer US storm eases off

The massive storm that brought death and freezing chaos to middle America finally tapered off today, but another was forecast to be on the way.

At least 24 people died, mostly in traffic accidents on ice-covered roads and nearly a million were left without electricity.

Ice ranging up to an inch thick glazed roads in much of the central Plains and Midwest.

Forecasters said more snow, sleet and freezing rain could develop across the northern Ohio Valley and from Pennsylvania into New England today.

The power cut was the worst ever in Oklahoma, with more than 618,000 homes and businesses without electricity late yesterday. Officials said it could be a week to 10 days before power is fully restored.

“We’re relying on people to look after each other,” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said. “At the end of the day, this comes down to the strength of your people. ... People who have electricity ought to be sharing it with people who don’t.”

Elsewhere, nearly 350,000 customers were affected by cuts in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois.

The storm also caused extensive travel problems. More than 550 flights were cancelled at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport yesterday, and hundreds of other flights were delayed.

Officials in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma had declared states of emergency. President George Bush declared a federal emergency in Oklahoma yesterday, ordering government aid to supplement state and local efforts.