Hurricane Irene had passed into Canada after causing havoc on the US east coast from North Carolina to Vermont.

So far, 40 people have been killed and there are warnings that flooding could continue for up to three days in northern US states.

More than five million people remain without power, while Vermont is reeling from its worst floods in many decades.

The storm was originally listed as a hurricane, but as it lost power it then became a tropical storm and then post-tropical storm, which is less powerful.

It was expected to be a lot stronger than it was in New York, which escaped a major disaster, although a lot of people were evacuated from their homes.

There is speculation that insurance claims could top $7billion (£4.3 billion) because it has ruined so many towns and cities.

President Barack Obama has warned that the impact of the storm will be felt for some time and that the recovery effort will last for weeks.