Twenty people killed in widespread US storms

Winter storms in the US have claimed 20 lives, including a three-year-old girl who was swept from her grandmother's arms.

Winter storms in the US have claimed 20 lives, including a three-year-old girl who was swept from her grandmother's arms.

The girl was found dead after floodwaters washed her downstream. The elderly woman was trying to carry her across a stream in southern Illinois.

Storms crossed from the Midwest into New England, bringing snow and ice that left thousands without power and schools and businesses closed.

At the storm's peak 270,000 customers were without power in the Kansas City, Missouri, area.

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Officials in Oklahoma said it might be days before 255,000 customers would see the lights and electrical heat go back on.

In addition, at least 184,000 homes and buildings were without power in Michigan, more than 63,000 in Indiana and 47,000 in northwest Ohio. Power was restored to 36,000 customers whose lines had been knocked out in Illinois.

AP