Irene weakens as it hits New York

Irene has weakened to a tropical storm as it raced across New York City, leaving behind a stunned east coast where at least nine people died, severe flooding was widespread and four million homes were without power.

Forecasters said Irene, while diminished in strength, still carried sustained winds of 65mph after its long journey up the east coast, where it dropped a foot of rain on North Carolina and Virginia.