Winter storm hits southern US with snow, sleet and rain



Freezing rain and sleet have caused power outages, icy roads and school closures in the south-eastern US, following a snow storm that struck in the region over the weekend.

As much as 9in (23cm) of snow has blanketed states from Louisiana to North Carolina.

At least eight people have died in weather-related car crashes in the area over the past few days.

The winter mix is expected to turn to ice by Tuesday, forecasters said.

"Since it's going to be pretty cold over the next few days, we could see whatever accumulates sticking around for a few days," National Weather Service meteorologist Daniel Lamb told the Associated Press news agency.

Governors in the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee declared emergencies, while many schools in the south called off classes on Monday because of the storm.

Officials in Georgia were forced to move the inauguration of Republican Governor Nathan Deal from the steps of the state Capitol to inside the state's House chambers, after the weekend storm left the city of Atlanta covered by about 4in (10cm) of snow.

Code: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12157590