Storm cuts power to almost 600,000, kills 1

The governor of Pennsylvania says more than half a million utility customers lost power in the commonwealth at the height of the powerful storm that sent trees onto roads and rail lines, stranded motorists and left one man dead.

Gov. Tom Wolf said Saturday that about 445,000 utility customers remained without power Saturday, down from nearly 600,000 affected at the height of the storm, and vowed support for utility crews working to restore power.

Police in Montgomery County said officers found a 45-foot portion of a tree had fallen on the front windshield, dashboard and front seat of a car at about 7 p.m. Friday in Upper Merion Township, killing a 57-year-old man. His name wasn’t released pending notification of relatives.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said trees fell onto many rail lines during the storm, halting almost all regional rail lines and forcing detours or limited service on many bus lines. Trees also landed directly onto two buses but caused no serious injuries, officials said.

The National Weather Service said almost two feet of snow was reported in parts of the Pocono mountains, with 23.6 inches recorded on Coolbaugh Township and 20 inches reported in Tobyhanna. The American Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania reported that highways in the region remained “clogged with travelers left stranded by the storm.”