Hurricane Irene, traveling 1,100 miles (1,220 kilometers) up the East Coast of the United States, left at least 35 people dead in 10 states and 3 million households without electric power. Some areas received as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain in just a few hours, reported the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The massive category 1 hurricane made landfall on August 27 on North Carolina’s Outer Banks with sustained winds of 85 miles (135 kilometers) per hour. The wind and rain downed trees, knocking out electric power as the storm continued its run up the East Coast.

The very heavy rain triggered major flooding in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, upstate New York, and New England. Flooding in Vermont was the worst since 1927. At least a dozen towns were cut off as flash floods closed some 250 roads and washed away bridges-including several of the Vermont’s iconic covered bridges. Both downtown Brattleboro and Bennington were under several feet of water. In Montpelier, the capital, the Winooski River crested at 19.5 feet (5.5 meters).

 Additional World Book articles:

• Weather
• How the Ocean Affects Climate (special report)