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Subscribe to RSSUpdated at 4:20 a.m. ET: A powerful winter storm pounded the Northeast Saturday, with gusting winds and heavy snow causing power failures for hundreds of thousands of people, dozens of accidents and fuel shortages at gas stations.
At least one death was confirmed, a snow-related car accident in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
By 4:20 a.m. ET Saturday, 26 inches of snow had fallen at Hamden, Conn., with 22.4 inches at Upton, N.Y., and 15.3 in Portland, Maine, weather.com reported. New York City's Central park had 6.3 inches.
Blizzard warnings were issued for the New York City metro area, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, coastal New Hampshire and coastal Maine, weather.com added.
Forecasters said they expected Massachusetts to get the most snowfall, with an accumulation of up to 3 feet in some spots. The worst snowfall on record in Boston was a 27.5-inch blast a decade ago.
Coastal residents were warned that the winds could top 70 mph. Those living on north- and east-facing shorelines from Boston south to Cape Cod Bay were told to prepare for tides 2 to 4 feet above normal.
"Coastal flooding is expected on the Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts coastlines," the National Weather Service said.
"I'm really nervous," Kathy Niznansky, a 65-year-old teacher in coastal Fairfield, Conn. told The Associated Press. Niznansky is still recovering from flooding from Superstorm Sandy which arrived on her birthday and knocked her out of her house near the beach for two months. "Now I'm really worried about this tide tonight. I just don't want any more flooding."
In Massachusetts, gusts over 50 mph were reported in Boston and over 60 mph on Nantucket Island. Winds up to 75 mph were possible in Provincetown, forecasters said.
Police said hundreds of cars were stuck on the Long Island Expressway, NBC weatherman Al Roker said in a message on Twitter.
The winter storm gathered strength as two weather systems — a so-called clipper pattern sweeping across the Midwest and a band of rain from the South — converged over the Northeast early Friday.
By late Friday, the storm had arrived in earnest and was expected to pummel New England through Saturday and last as long as Sunday farther north.
Governors of New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island declared states of emergency.
More than 800 National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York to provide roadway support, emergency transportation and back-up for first responders, the Department of Defense said Friday evening, while governors in the region warned people to get home and be prepared for power outages.
Airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights on Friday, Boston closed its subway, Amtrak suspended some service, and cities across the Northeast prepared to deploy an armada of snowplows and salt-spreading trucks.
More than half a million people were without power, including a whopping 389,000 customers in Massachusetts, 177,000 in Rhode Island and 35,000 in Connecticut, and more power failures were expected overnight.
For people in the blizzard’s path, forecasters and authorities had a clear message: Stay home.
Driving bans
Governors in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts announced restrictions on driving.
In the most sweeping ban, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick ordered all non-essential vehicles off the roads by 4 p.m. and said people should brace to be snowed in for two days. He said the storm was "profoundly different" from others the state has endured in recent years.
Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut banned car traffic on limited-access highways starting at 4 p.m. State police reported nearly 100 minor accidents across the state by Friday afternoon.
"If you don't currently have a reason to be on the road, if you're not an emergency personnel that's required to report to work somewhere, stay home," Malloy said at a state armory news conference. "This is it. Things are starting to accumulate."
In the Poughkeepsie, N.Y. crash, a car driven by an 18-year-old female went out of control in the snow and struck Muril M. Hancock, 74, who was walking near the shoulder, police said. Hancock died from his injuries at the hospital.
The eastern part of Connecticut was experiencing white-out conditions late into the evening, the state's emergency operations center reported, and even snowplows were immobilized because of the weather.
Several motorists were reported stranded on snowed-in highways and interstates, but no injuries had been reported. Still, emergency crews were unable to respond due to the severe conditions.
A 19-car pileup on Interstate 295 in Falmouth, Maine, was blamed on the storm. Police said there were minor injuries.
Elsewhere, Rhode Island police asked people for loaner snowmobiles, and out-of-state utility crews headed for Connecticut to help.
Full coverage from The Weather Channel
Watch live video of the Northeast blizzard
Sandy survivors: It's like a repeat 'nightmare'
Airline cancellations piled up all morning. Almost 3,000 flights were scrapped for Friday and more than 1,000 more for Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.
At the major airports in New York and New England, most major airlines said they would shut down completely Friday afternoon.
Schools were closed in Boston and for most of New England on Friday. Patrick ordered non-essential state workers to stay home Friday and encouraged private employers to do the same.
In New York, the transit agency added more than 20 afternoon trains on its Metro-North commuter line from Grand Central Terminal to get people out of the city before the worst hit.
The Metro-North suspended service Friday night due to the storm. The Long Island Rail Road shut down service east of Speonk about 9 p.m.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg warned people to stay in and to use public transportation if they had to go out, although even that carried the possibility of disruptions. The city had 250,000 tons of salt at the ready for the roads.
He encouraged New Yorkers to stay in and cook a meal or read a good book.
"This is a very serious storm, and we should treat it that way," said Tom Prendergast, president of the agency that runs New York subways and buses.
The weather service warned that the combination of heavy snow and high winds would limit visibility and cause whiteout conditions at times.
"Those venturing outdoors may become lost or disoriented," the weather service said in an advisory issued for the Boston area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related:
The Weather Channel live stream
State-by-state impact of the storm
Show us your storm photos by adding #NBCNewsPics to your tweet or Instagram post, or upload your pictures directly by clicking the box below.
Leave a Comment:
Holy Cow!!! It's going to snow in the Northeast? That NEVER happens. What will they do? What will they do??????????
Reach out for tax dollars is what they will do.
The media is hyping this to the point of sickening. I live in area expecting high amounts of snow. What else is new. Since there are no bombings, shootouts or missiles breaking up, they have to do something to earn their pay.
And to not so smart - I guess you're not. Ever need disaster relief? If not, bug off. You are commenting on something you obviously, know nothing about.
This will be Bush's fault too
The Liberals in California are going to rename the San Andreas Fault to Bush's Fault. :)
StateRunMedia - good one
please stay off the roads, oh and don't forget to fill your cars gas tank. WHY???
In Minnesota we have storms too. I sympathize. However, Ben Thomas lives where there is a storm of Iliegals just about every day & the politicians out east obviously couldn't care less. Understanding goes both ways.
Michigan had a heck of a storm but you won't read much about it. You don't get excellent news coverage when storms of any sort hit other parts of the country before during and after like you do in the New England area. Soon they will have their hand out for millions of taxpayer dollars.
Ok - There has to be a way we can blame Bush and Cheney for this.
All of you need to take a chill. Most of these news media types were in diapers...er pampers when the last big storm hit the northeast. We are having a major snowstorm here in the west. It is as large as the east coast storm. The one big difference is that we don't have a bazillion state trucks to push the snow off the roads. We also have the common sense to stay the h#ll off the roads unless we have a bona fide emergency.
Massachusetts Governor ordered all non essential employees to stay home . Every public employee in the State stayed home.
who do you think clears the roads and the first responders?
please think before you shout out that which you know nothing about
Well the stock market will drop to 6000, gas prices will skyrocket, everytime there's a hint of a storm, hurricane, Noreastor, or it thunders real loud, you can expect it......it's called price manipulation, that's the kind of fair society we live in.....those with greed, preying off those who need.........maybe a remote Island somewhere would be better!
England sent us to a remote island once. We been here for 250 years..whats your next idea?
Ducky, America is a continent, in-case you didn't know, not an Island, where you from, England.
I'll bet weather people get boners when this type storm looms heavily on the horizon.
It's Feb the 8th and there is a Snow Storm in the NorthEast..........
Time for Oblunder & the liberals to "ban" winter stroms...
Someone is already drafting the next relief bill request.
Would someone please let the Today show know that they are not a local television station for NYC. We get it. You're going to see some snow. The midwest could get 8 feet of snow and it might get a passing mention. However, NYC gets 3 inches of snow and Al Roker's doing a 20 minute remote from a park...that hasn't even seen a flake!!.
o gee a winter snow storm i guess they didnt get the memo that we were gonna have winter again this year
This is the worst snow storm,ever. Until the next one comes along.
Oooohhhh nooo! Its snowing! The lady on the TODAY show went on an on about how heavy the snow was falling....In MN we call that FLURRIES! Note to the East coast news media...the world does not stop just because NYC gets a little snow!
Even Kathy Sabine of 9News thinks this storm is being over-hyped, and Kathy should know a lot about hyping weather events. From the record books for Denver. Notice the heaviest storm occured 100 years ago and the next heaviest only 10 years ago.
1.
45.7 inches
December 1-5, 1913
2.
31.8 inches
March 17-19, 2003
3.
30.4 inches
November 2-4, 1946
4.
23.8 inches
December 24, 1982
5.
23.0 inches
April 23, 1885
6.
22.7 inches
October 20-23, 1906
7.
21.9 inches
October 24-25, 1997
8.
21.5 inches
November 26-27, 1983
9.
20.7 inches
December 20-21, 2006
10.
19.3 inches
January 29-31, 1883
11.
19.0 inches
April 24-25, 1935
12.
18.7 inches
March 5-6, 1983
13.
18.5 inches
March 20-22, 1944
14.
18.2 inches
April 17-19, 1920
15.
18.0 inches
March 19-20, 1907
16.
18.0 inches
March 31-Apr 1, 1891
17.
17.7 inches
November 19-21, 1979
Kinda what i was thinking too, is this not the norm for this area? Whats the big deal?
Actually no, most snow events here in Denver range from a dusting to 2-4 inches. Storms have to set up in southeast Colorado and be moving slowly to get the up slope flow that causes totals like the above.
The mountains are a wholly different situation. A moist west or northwest flow can cause the snow pack to add up, especially if it is persistent. During those type of storms we are in the "rain shadow" of the mountains.
One day it's 'GLOBAL WARMING THREATENS'.
Next day it's 'SNOW BLIZZARD OF THE CENTURY THREATENS'.
Folks, it's just called 'Winter weather in the U.S.' Don't go out unless you have to and make sure you have snow tires if you do go out. Just watch the boob tube and sip hot chocolate... yawn.
One day it's 'GLOBAL WARMING THREATENS'.
Next day it's 'SNOW BLIZZARD OF THE CENTURY THREATENS'.
Folks, it's just called 'Winter weather in the U.S.' Don't go out unless you have to and make sure you have snow tires if you do go out. Just watch the boob tube and sip hot chocolate... yawn.
OMG! The Northeast gets hit with a snowstorm, and its front page news, is that because so many major news organization are based in New York, thats makes this a big deal, I mean look at the radar, its one little small section of the country. Yet, based on news reports, you would think the world is ending. Get over yourself, the rest of the country is fine, bunch of cry babies in the northeast.
OH MY GOSH>>. You bunch of pussys are worried about one to two ft of snow?? Seriously??? Come to ND or Minn. and cry on our shoulders..The press acts like it never snowed a foot before. LOL
It's media hype at its finest. The people (me included) are doing a yawn and asking "What else is new." Don't think for a NY minute that the people affected are running around wringing their hands. We've hunkered down and going to catch up on our reading. Don't equate the media's comment to what is REALLY going on.
People here are still trying to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. FEMA didn't send trailers for them to live in, so many are living in what's left of their home. Normally, a big snow storm wouldn't mean beans, but given the situation so many are still dealing with, no wonder it's a big deal. I have a Hurricane Sandy victim living in my home right now.
It will be amusing to see democrats in those two Northeastern cities actually working for a change.
Because we all know that only Republicans are true hard-working Americans.
I'll pray for the victims of this storm, which is to say, I will do nothing. But, I want you to THINK I'm doing something for you.
Clever, huh? :-)
Amen!!! I'm trying to help too!!!
Dear (NoBlackCharacters)News bloggers, this is about B'n aware. It is a severe weather warning. So, to Texans from hell,...this warning is not 4-U. If U are not heading to the coast for the weekend. This warning is not 4_U. And , ...if U don't care. If U hav relatives, loved ones,etc., on the coast, that U could possibly pray for(Preventative), unless U don't believe N 'GOD' or angels, or again,...don't care. Then, this warning is NOT FOR U!!!:< Please disregard. But this ain't not de only warning goin's out on dis day. Thus saith the 'LORD' 'Jah',and the 'Spirit', and the 'Son',..."I merst work the works of 'Him' that sent me,while it is today.For night is about to come, and this is when no man Can work."{John9:4} One man's plight will become all men's plight. Disasters are becoming more imminent. Some are soon coming, that they who now mock will not be able to withstand. Yeah, and who shall be able to stand, at the mighty and terrible wrath of 'Yehovah'. Without prayer, and w/out faith, ye do not have a chance in hell. It ( The Strorm) is the end...of the world...4somebody...
TODAY!!!
We here in ND are to get 6" and blizzard like conditions..SEND AL ROKER !!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEZE
San Diego newspaper headline this morning 'Winter Storm To Dump Half Inch of Rain In Area". We have applied for FEMA aid, drafted a relief bill and have requisitioned a million government surplus umbrellas with bilingual operating intructions. Its good to be a blue state these days.
3/4 of the United States doesn't give a crap. What they care about is what msn won't talk about-the gross and nightmarish dereliction of duty, disdain for law, and abuse of power by Obama. True gross negligence and willful inattention to critical issues is destroying us and those who support it like Chuck Todd refuse to post real news and information that is not propaganda driven. I urge all you people stuck inside to read France 24 english, Der SPiegel, Russia Today-freaking anything other than US news which won't report the terrible condition we are in.
100% of actual people that matter don't give a crap about you're stupid GOPuke propaganda rant.
Terrible condition? Lol, you're posting internet comments at 7AM, not looking for water to drink - you are doing darn pretty well. Thank the President when yoiu get a chance, you can email him.
I care about these ridiculous blizzards and ever worsening weather conditions. I care about the people being affected. I care about climate change.
@carol, listening/reading your rants make me think the sky will be falling real soon. First off, this is about snow falling, not politic's.
But since you started your excretment, let's discuss it with some FACTS. First, Obama is spending less money than any President since/including Ronald Hussian Reagan. Look it up, it's a FACT!
We are not in a terrible condition, as you put it. Hurting no doubt, unemployment is way too high, but has been improving steadly. Stock market is up, yes it will self adjust itself and go down for the next couple of months (time to buy then) and will then go up again.
Leading stock brokers have a very postive outlook for the future. But yet, you claim those news rags know more than people who actually work at/ and study the economic forecasts. That explains a who lot to the informed people that you are a Obama hater.
Are you going to blame Obama for this snow storm also? If not, why not, you blame him for everything else.
nobody cares about your opinion toasted. MSDNC has tricked all the idiots (haha! wich applies to the majority of the country, Obama won right?) into thinking they are special. Better make a HUGE DEAL about a storm that any idiot could survive. To say that a liberal like you was an idiot would be offensive to the idiots. Hence the necessary media scare tactics.
You're not special. You're failed political ideology isn't special, it's disgusting, and it has proven to fail every major civilization since conception. If BUSH did ANY of the things OBama has done, you would be hysterical. Hypocrisy at it's finest.
NY and Boston must think they are REALLY REALLY special. People all over the country live through this kind of storm or worse, every winter. Say anything you want about people in red states, they can handle these types of problems and they don't flash mob gas stations and grocery stores as if it were the Apocalypse to do it.
Really sally, really? Llistening to YOUR RANT makes me wonder when the sky is actually going to fall. Or better yet, when the US is going to sink into an economic pit from wich they will never escape. THe smart people will know to thank you for creating this mess.