A nor’easter brought heavy snow and strong winds to Maine and New Hampshire, leaving more than 400,000 homes and businesses without power. The storm caused widespread outages, making indoor heating impossible for many in the region. Snow accumulations exceeded a foot in some areas, with Moretown, Vermont, receiving 24 inches of snow and Shapleigh, Maine, seeing 21.5 inches. Despite the heaviest snow ending, several more inches are expected to fall along with gusty winds, leading to difficult driving conditions and lingering power outages. State and local governments closed offices and schools ahead of the storm due to hazardous conditions.
The storm left many roads impassable and downed power lines in York County, Maine, creating dangerous driving conditions. Hundreds of schools and government offices in New Hampshire also closed or moved to remote learning. First responders in East Kingston, New Hampshire reported a tree falling on a mobile home, causing it to be a total loss. More than 289,000 utility customers in Maine and over 121,000 residents in New Hampshire were without power. Winter storm warnings and advisories have been extended for parts of New England, and strong winds will continue to affect the region.
A different storm crossing the western US brought gusty winds, rain, and snow to the region before moving to the central US. Freeze warnings and frost advisories were issued for the Central Plains and Ohio River Valley, covering an estimated 18 million people. Frost and freeze conditions were expected to kill crops and damage sensitive vegetation. Fire danger warnings were in effect for the High Plains, with more than 11 million people at risk. Dry conditions, low humidity, and ongoing drought created a critical fire danger threat in areas including western Texas, central and northern New Mexico, and eastern Colorado.
To access more CNN news and newsletters, readers can create an account on CNN.com. The storm caused significant disruptions in Maine and New Hampshire, with power outages, downed trees, and hazardous driving conditions. Efforts were made to close schools and government offices to ensure the safety of residents during the storm. The lasting effects of the nor’easter, including continued snowfall and strong winds, will require ongoing attention from utility crews and emergency responders to restore power and address any damage caused by the storm.
Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to stay off the roads if possible and drive with caution if travel is necessary. With more snow and wind expected, additional power outages and hazardous conditions could persist. The combination of winter weather warnings and fire danger advisories highlights the diverse range of weather risks facing different regions of the US. By staying informed and following safety precautions, individuals can better prepare for and respond to severe weather events like the nor’easter and associated storms affecting various parts of the country.
