WASHINGTON -- Utility crews untangled downed power lines and tree limbs Sunday, working to restore electricity for millions of people facing a second day of 100-degree temperatures without modern conveniences such as air-conditioning and refrigeration.
Many people flocked to malls, movie theaters and other places in the hope that the lights would be on again when they returned home. Utilities were slowly making progress, but more than 2.7 million people still had no electricity Sunday night and could only watch their thermostats climb. It could be several days before all the power is restored.
Strong winds from storms late Friday toppled massive trees onto cars and blocked roads, and officials asked residents not to drive until they could clear debris from the streets. When a hurricane is lumbering their way, state officials have time to get extra personnel in place so they can immediately start on cleanup. That wasn't the case with this storm, known as a "derecho" -- a straight-line windstorm that sweeps over a large area at high speed.
"Unlike a polite hurricane that gives you three days of warning, this storm gave us all the impact of a hurricane without any of the warning of a hurricane," Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said.
The bulk of the storm damage was in West Virginia, Washington and the capital's Virginia and Maryland suburbs. On Sunday, officials raised the death toll to 14. At least seven of the dead were killed in Virginia, including a 90-year-old woman asleep in her bed when a tree slammed into her home. Two young cousins camping in New Jersey were killed when a tree fell on their tent. Two were killed in Maryland, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and one in Washington.
On Sunday night, federal and state officials in the mid-Atlantic region gave many workers the option of staying home today to ease congestion on the roads. Federal agencies will be open in Washington, but nonemergency employees have the option of taking leave or working from home.
National Guard troops were brought in to help road crews in New Jersey and West Virginia. Crews had, for the most part, cleared debris from major roadways, and signals were working at many major intersections. But officials still had much work to do on secondary roads.
Cell phone and Internet service was spotty, gas stations shut down and residents were urged to conserve water.
The power outages were especially dangerous because they left the region without air-conditioning in an oppressive heat wave. Temperatures approached 100 degrees in many storm-stricken areas Sunday, including a reading of 99 at Reagan Washington National Airport.
Power crews from as far as Florida and Oklahoma were on their way to help get the power back on and the air-conditioners running. Even if people have generators, the gas-run devices often don't have enough power to operate an air-conditioner.
"If we don't get power tonight, we'll have to throw everything away," said Susan Fritz, a mother of three.
Authorities warned people to be careful when using generators and candles to help light darkened homes.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ordered the National Guard to deliver fuel for generators and fresh water to stricken areas. He reported that power had been restored to such tourist areas as Atlantic City's casinos.
For the most part, officials focused on the most vulnerable residents: children, sick people and seniors.
In Charleston, W.Va., firefighters helped several people using walkers and wheelchairs get to emergency shelters.
In the Columbus, Ohio, suburb of Dublin, Lori Schaffert said her household borrowed a generator from a friend and were alternating it between the refrigerator and freezer while using flashlights and battery-operated lanterns for light.
Her 5-year-old daughter and a neighbor friend played board games and helped her make pickles from their garden's cucumbers.
"You come to appreciate the simple life a little more in these times," Schaffert said.
On top of all the misery, the National Weather Service said another round of thunderstorms was possible late Sunday and early today, threatening strong winds and hail.
By Sunday evening, new storms had struck in eastern North Carolina, where officials said three people had been killed. The damage was mostly blamed on straight-line winds.
More Details: In Michigan: No relief from heat
No severe weather is being predicted for southeast Michigan this week, but the heat is expected to stick around through the holiday week.
According to the National Weather Service at White Lake Township, there is a low chance of thunderstorms through Wednesday.
Today is expected to be 90 and sunny, followed by temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s through the week.
An Ozone Action Day has been declared for today. People are being urged not to refuel or mow their lawns during the day if possible.
Many people flocked to malls, movie theaters and other places in the hope that the lights would be on again when they returned home. Utilities were slowly making progress, but more than 2.7 million people still had no electricity Sunday night and could only watch their thermostats climb. It could be several days before all the power is restored.
Strong winds from storms late Friday toppled massive trees onto cars and blocked roads, and officials asked residents not to drive until they could clear debris from the streets. When a hurricane is lumbering their way, state officials have time to get extra personnel in place so they can immediately start on cleanup. That wasn't the case with this storm, known as a "derecho" -- a straight-line windstorm that sweeps over a large area at high speed.
"Unlike a polite hurricane that gives you three days of warning, this storm gave us all the impact of a hurricane without any of the warning of a hurricane," Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said.
The bulk of the storm damage was in West Virginia, Washington and the capital's Virginia and Maryland suburbs. On Sunday, officials raised the death toll to 14. At least seven of the dead were killed in Virginia, including a 90-year-old woman asleep in her bed when a tree slammed into her home. Two young cousins camping in New Jersey were killed when a tree fell on their tent. Two were killed in Maryland, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and one in Washington.
On Sunday night, federal and state officials in the mid-Atlantic region gave many workers the option of staying home today to ease congestion on the roads. Federal agencies will be open in Washington, but nonemergency employees have the option of taking leave or working from home.
National Guard troops were brought in to help road crews in New Jersey and West Virginia. Crews had, for the most part, cleared debris from major roadways, and signals were working at many major intersections. But officials still had much work to do on secondary roads.
Cell phone and Internet service was spotty, gas stations shut down and residents were urged to conserve water.
The power outages were especially dangerous because they left the region without air-conditioning in an oppressive heat wave. Temperatures approached 100 degrees in many storm-stricken areas Sunday, including a reading of 99 at Reagan Washington National Airport.
Power crews from as far as Florida and Oklahoma were on their way to help get the power back on and the air-conditioners running. Even if people have generators, the gas-run devices often don't have enough power to operate an air-conditioner.
"If we don't get power tonight, we'll have to throw everything away," said Susan Fritz, a mother of three.
Authorities warned people to be careful when using generators and candles to help light darkened homes.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ordered the National Guard to deliver fuel for generators and fresh water to stricken areas. He reported that power had been restored to such tourist areas as Atlantic City's casinos.
For the most part, officials focused on the most vulnerable residents: children, sick people and seniors.
In Charleston, W.Va., firefighters helped several people using walkers and wheelchairs get to emergency shelters.
In the Columbus, Ohio, suburb of Dublin, Lori Schaffert said her household borrowed a generator from a friend and were alternating it between the refrigerator and freezer while using flashlights and battery-operated lanterns for light.
Her 5-year-old daughter and a neighbor friend played board games and helped her make pickles from their garden's cucumbers.
"You come to appreciate the simple life a little more in these times," Schaffert said.
On top of all the misery, the National Weather Service said another round of thunderstorms was possible late Sunday and early today, threatening strong winds and hail.
By Sunday evening, new storms had struck in eastern North Carolina, where officials said three people had been killed. The damage was mostly blamed on straight-line winds.
More Details: In Michigan: No relief from heat
No severe weather is being predicted for southeast Michigan this week, but the heat is expected to stick around through the holiday week.
According to the National Weather Service at White Lake Township, there is a low chance of thunderstorms through Wednesday.
Today is expected to be 90 and sunny, followed by temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s through the week.
An Ozone Action Day has been declared for today. People are being urged not to refuel or mow their lawns during the day if possible.