'Worst' ice storm grips America

A chilling ice storm has gripped huge areas of north east America, cutting off power to more than a million homes.

At least four people have died and lots of homes and schools have been damaged, in what's being described as one of the worst ice storms in 10 years.

States of emergency have been declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and parts of Maine and New York state.

People are being warned the big freeze looks set to continue and it could be days before they get their power back.

Try our wintry weather quiz

Power lines have been coated in a thick layer of ice

Ice storms happen when rain falls when it's very cold, freezing as soon as it hits a surface.

The ice can coat huge areas at a time and be so heavy that trees can collapse under its weight.

By declaring states of emergency, officials can get more help to deal with the ice and the devastation it's causing.