As New England recovers, New York braces for storm
Snow rocks Northeast; thousands lose power
The scrape of snow shovels and the drone of snowblowers filled the New England air on Wednesday as the region cleaned up from a storm that left 2 feet of snow in some places and tens of thousands without power.
Also, Boston’s mayor announced Wednesday the large amount of snowfall prompted a change in the St. Patrick Day’s parade route.
More than 150,000 customers in Massachusetts and another 20,000 in Maine were still without electricity midday Wednesday, a day after the storm. Utilities warned that it could be several days before everyone is back online as line crews are hampered by streets blocked by downed trees.
Schools across the region remained closed while several shelter warming centers opened.
Two trees fell on Brian King’s home in Carver, Massachusetts, which got 10 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
“I love a good snowstorm, but I’m ready, I’m all done,” he told WCVBTV.
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said Wednesday that Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will follow a shortened route to avoid piled up snow.
Walsh said the route will allow “for a safe and enjoyable celebration,” and will help with traffic congestion for paradegoers on side streets.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, organized by the Allied War Veterans’ Council of South Boston, brings between 600,000 and 1 million people to the city each year.
In a statement released Wednesday night, Dave Falvey, commander of the council, said it is “extremely disappointing that Mayor Walsh made a unilateral decision to proceed with a shortened route.”
The parade route was also shortened last year due to a snowstorm.
In Billerica, Massachusetts, where 25.5 inches of snow fell, Michelle Furlong made an age-old New England winter threat as she shoveled.
“We all say we’re going to move, right? Never happens,” she said.
Uxbridge, Massachusetts, was the leader with nearly 28 inches. Foster, Rhode Island, got more than 25 inches, while in Connecticut, Killingly had a bit more than 20 inches.
Raymond, New Hampshire, got 27 inches, while in Maine, Limerick and Newfield had 23.5 inches each.
High winds and blowing snow led meteorologists to categorize the storm as a blizzard in parts of New England, including Boston. Gusts approached 70 mph on Cape Cod, the weather service said.
Amtrak suspended all service on Tuesday between Boston and New York City, but resumed some service Wednesday, although delays lingered.
Boston’s Logan International Airport, nearly deserted Tuesday, resumed flights Wednesday.
The winter weather was far from over. Some flurries were expected in New England on Wednesday and meteorologists started tracking another possible storm for the middle of next week.
And while New York got less snow than New England on Tuesday, the state was in line for a harder hit Wednesday.
The weather service says central New York could get up to 12 inches of snow with winds gusting as high as 40 mph. Parts of western New York could get up to 6 inches of snow.