14 die as US ice storm sweeps plains

A ice storm that swept across the US plains has left more than 600,000 people without power and contributed to at least 14 deaths…

A ice storm that swept across the US plains has left more than 600,000 people without power and contributed to at least 14 deaths.

Icy roads contributed to the deaths of 12 people in Oklahoma during the weekend.

One man in the state died of hypothermia, and a Missouri motorist was killed when he stopped to help another driver and was hit by a car skidding on ice.

The storm cut power lines, leaving more than 500,000 people without power in Oklahoma, where shelters opened for those driven from their homes. National guardsmen and volunteers transported food and water to hard-hit areas.

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The storm also shut down electricity service to more than 102,000 people in Missouri, more than 11,000 people in Illinois and about 5,000 in Kansas.

Ice storm warnings were issued from Texas up through Oklahoma and Kansas and east across Missouri into Illinois.

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt declared a state of emergency, calling out the state National Guard to aid communities.