Northeast Snow Storm: Millions Still Without Power
Millions of people in the Northeast are still without power Wednesday as utilities hustle to restore service after a freak October snowstorm slammed the area over the weekend.
Around 30 inches of heavy, wet snow fell on the affected region and ruined many people's Halloween plans. At least 21 people have died because of the storm, according to media reports. Thousands of people were stranded at train stations and airports.
The storm knocked down trees and power lines, leaving millions without power in Northeastern states including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
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Becky Fisher, a resident of New Jersey, said she and her family had to stay at her neighbor's house after they lost power when temperatures dropped severely.
"There are just pockets of those who have electricity," said Fisher to CNN on Tuesday. "So we're using our neighbors' goodwill. We'll owe them lots."
Fisher said the company keeps changing the date and time that power is expected to be restored.
"Initially the message (of when power would be restored) was for Wednesday night, then Thursday, and now maybe Friday," she added.
Hundreds of schools were closed in the area Monday and Tuesday; some schools have shut down for the entire week.
President Obama signed emergency declarations for Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to allow the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to plan relief efforts, provide assistance, and protect and save lives, the White House said.
As of Wednesday morning, Connecticut and Massachusetts withstood the most power outages. Connecticut had 573,000 people without power, and Massachusetts had about 228,000 people cut off, according to a CNN report.
Around 105,000 were without power in New York and 63,000 in Pennsylvania.
Thousands of people in West Virginia, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland and Virginia were also waiting for service to be restored.
West Milford, N.J. and Millbrook, N.Y., had the most snow with 19 inches and 21 inches respectively on Saturday.
