New England braces for major spring snowstorm

Severe weather continues to sock U.S.

A major spring storm was expected to drop more than a foot of snow in parts of New England on Wednesday, while heavy rains were likely to soak the East Coast and cleanup work continued in several states wracked by tornadoes and other severe weather blamed for at least two deaths.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for several states in New England, where 7 to 18 inches of snow were expected with some local amounts of 24 inches including higher elevations. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine were expected to see the highest amounts.

A mix of rain and snow was due to start falling throughout the region, with wet and heavy snow expected by evening and through today in many areas. Extensive power outages were possible.

Maine officials warned the storm was expected to cause difficult travel conditions, power outages and minor coastal flooding.

Meanwhile, wind gusts of up to 60 mph were expected in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, coastal Connecticut and parts of Vermont, where flood watches had been issued. Heavy rains and severe thunderstorms were also expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic states and Florida.

Forecasters said heavy, wet snow would persist across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan into today.

In West Virginia, more than 103,000 homes and businesses remained without power Wednesday, mostly in the southern part of the state, according to poweroutage.us. Some Appalachian Power customers may not get their service back until tonight, the utility said.

Schools were closed in eight of West Virginia’s 55 counties Wednesday and a state of emergency declared Tuesday by Gov. Jim Justice remained in place for several counties. Moderate flooding was forecast on the Ohio River, which was expected to crest nearly 6 feet above flood stage today at Wheeling.

Flooding was also a problem in parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Between 2 and 3 1/2 inches of rain had fallen in western Pennsylvania since late Monday night, leading to flooding in all corners of the region. A flood warning was in effect for much of the region through Wednesday afternoon due to widespread risk of standing water on roadways, as well as rising creeks, streams and rivers.