Soldiers have been airlifting storm-relief supplies to Vermont towns which remain cut off after the trail of destruction left by Irene.

飓风艾琳重创美国佛蒙特州，士兵正向佛蒙特城空运救灾物资。

More than 200 roads are blocked or washed away in Vermont, hampering¹（妨碍，束缚） rescue efforts to 13 towns.

Irene killed 44 people in 13 US states, according to the Associated Press, and caused billions of dollars' damage.

About half of the 6.7 million utility customers on the east coast who lost power still have no electricity.

Vermont is reeling（卷，蹒跚） from its worst floods since 1927, and officials warned some rivers and creeks² there had yet to crest³.

'Irene whacked⁴ us'

National Guard troops flew in food, water and other emergency supplies to the rural, mountainous state on Tuesday.

They also brought in some provisions（规定，食品） by road, using heavy-duty lorries.

Irene had been expected to bring the most havoc⁵（大破坏） to coastal⁶ areas, but some of its worst destruction took place far inland.

Governor Peter Shumlin told MSNBC television: "We've got a long slog ahead. Irene really whacked us hard."

In the Vermont town of Rochester, one resident, Wendy Pratt, used a generator⁷ to post an update on Facebook to tell of the chaos⁸.

"People have lost their homes, their belongings⁹, businesses," Ms Pratt wrote.

"The cemetery¹⁰（墓地） was flooded and caskets were lost down the river. So many areas of complete devastation¹¹." that were cut off by washed-out roads and bridges. The storm dropped 13in of rain on the state.