An ice storm ripped through eastern United States over Thursday night from Maine to Pennsylvania, causing massive blackouts and leaving 1.25 million customers in the dark, the National Weather Service (NWS) said on Friday.

The storm has dumped more than 18 centimeters of snow in the region and forced many roads and schools to close, it said.

The governments of Massachusetts and New Hampshire declared state of emergency.

In Maine, Governor John Baldacci ordered state government closed for the day.

The American Red Cross opened shelters throughout the region to help people affected by the storm.

Authorities said it will take days to restore electricity lost in the storm.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2008)