US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in New York State after areas in the northeast were flooded by rain from the tropical storm Lee, killing at least nine people.

The declaration paves the way for quick delivery of federal aid to the rain-ravaged counties of Albany, Broome, Chenango, Chemung, Delaware, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Tioga.