A fallen tree blocks one lane of traffic on 13th Street NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, Saturday, June 30, 2012.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States Friday.
The storms hit the region amid a record heat wave, uprooting trees, knocking down power lines and prompting the governors of three states - Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia - to declare states of emergency.
Six deaths were reported in Virginia, two in New Jersey, one in Maryland and one in Ohio, mostly due to fallen trees.
US Storms Knock Out Power for Millions
1/10An American beech tree lies on Capitol Hill grounds in Washington, June 30, 2012, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
2/10A worker uses a chainsaw to clear a tree that fell onto the 14th fairway at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., June 30, 2012.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
3/10Trees damaged in the storm, Bethesda, Maryland, July 1, 2012. (G. Conway/VOA)
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
4/10A van and boat sit crushed by fallen trees, as crews work to restore power June, 30, 2012, in Northfield, N.J.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
5/10A car hit by a tree in the storm, Bethesda, Maryland, July 1, 2012. (G. Conway/VOA)
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
6/10A woman takes photograph of Mike Wolfe's pick-up truck as it lies under a fallen tree in front of his house after a severe storm in Falls Church, Va., June 30, 2012.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
7/10A downed tree that hit power lines, Bethesda, Maryland, July 1, 2012. (G. Conway/VOA)
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
8/10Marilyn Golias, right, looks at the remains of a utility pole which fell across the street from her house in Falls Church, Va., June 30, 2012.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
9/10William Cosby sits in the air condition of his car outside his home June 30, 2012 while waiting for a tree cutting service in Charleston, W.Va.
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
10/10A tree that was knocked down in the storm, Alexandria, Virginia, June 30, 2012. (K. Maddux/VOA)
At least 10 people are dead and more than three million without power after violent storms tore through the eastern United States June 29.
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Widespread power outages spanned the region, with officials saying it could be days before everyone's electricity is restored.
Many of the outages were centered in the U.S. capital and surrounding areas, where broken tree branches littered the streets and some residents were put under mandatory water restrictions.
Temperatures in Washington reached a record 40 degrees Celsius Friday, and forecasters predicted more extreme temperatures Saturday along with the possibility of more severe thunderstorms.
Friday's storms swept across much of the north central U.S. during the afternoon and early evening, tipping over large trucks on highways and downing utility poles.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
The Voice of America provides news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of over 326 million people. Stories with the VOA News byline are the work of multiple VOA journalists and may contain information from wire service reports.
