Storm damage in Falls Church, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Utility crews are untangling downed power lines and tree limbs across the mid-Atlantic today.
They are working to get the electricity turned back on for millions of people facing a second day of 100-degree temperatures without modern conveniences like air conditioning and refrigeration.
Strong winds from Friday night storms toppled massive trees onto cars and blocked roads. Officials have been asking residents not to drive until they could clear debris from the streets.
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says unlike a hurricane "that gives you three days of warning" and allows state officials to line up extra personnel so they can immediately start on cleanup, Friday's weather came up suddenly.
The storm is being described as a derecho - a straight-line wind storm that sweeps over a large area at high speed.
The bulk of the damage was in West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the capital's Virginia and Maryland suburbs. At least 13 people were killed, including six in Virginia. Most of the deaths involved falling trees.
Meanwhile, malls, movie theaters and other public places with power have been packed with people trying to escape the heat.
One woman taking refuge at a Maryland library expressed the concerns of many, saying if the power doesn't come back on tonight, she'll have to throw out everything in her refrigerator.