Our neighbours to the south have been hit hard shortly before Christmas begins. 11 people have been left dead and thousands have no electricity after a snowstorm hit the central area of the US. Hundreds of flights were also cancelled.

A pile-up on interstate 40, Texas caused 1 death and 2 life threatening injuries. Hundreds of trees and power lines have also fallen across Chicago, Wisconsin, Texas, Kansas and Minnesota.

In Wisconsin there were three fatalities from the snow storm, while one died in both Kansas and Texas. These deaths were caused from road accidents which arose from the storm.

At O'Hare International Airport, Chicago 300 flights have been cancelled due to the storm, which is expected to move north to the area near the great lakes, where winds of 50 to 68 mph have been recorded.

In many areas visibility was lowered to almost none by the storms.

The death in was expected to have Texas involved over 40 vehicles and about 20 semitrailers. The accident involved many families, some going on a holiday for the festive season.

3 deaths were also caused by a traffic related incident in Minnesota.

There was also a problem with children who were not wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.

The type of storm that hit America today in not uncommon at this period in Winter and they have the capability to deal with type of extreme weather, to the extent that damage is lessened, but not completely prevented.