October Snowstorm Rages On, Kills 3 and Knocks Out Power For 2.7 Million People

Earlier in the day I reported that October snowstorms in the Northeast had knocked out power for more than 1.5 million people and now that number has climbed to 2.7 million as high winds and snow as deep as 2 feet in some areas have moved north out of New England.

Officials in some areas say power restoration could take several days since heavy wet snow and downed trees are creating a clean up mess throughout the region.

Three deaths have also been blamed on the storm with states of emergency being announced for New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and parts of New York.

Among those without power are 750,000 Connecticut residents and 600,000 people in New Jersey including Governor Chris Christie.

In terms of actual snowfall the hardest hit areas include Plainfield with 27 inches and nearby Windsor with 26 inches. Also feeling the pain of an October storm was New Hampshire capital Concord where 22 inches fell.

In a bit of good news for skiing fans Killington and Mount Snow both started their ski seasons early by opening one trail over the weekend which was followed by the opening of Maine’s Sunday River ski resort.

In New York City a mixture of snow, rain and slush witnessed many Occupy Wall Street protesters leaving Zuccotti park while one remaining protester told the Associated Press:

“I had to come out and support” and “The underlying importance of this is such that you have to weather the cold.”

Residents without power in most areas have been warned that it can take several days for power to be restored and officials are urging those individuals to find shelter at facilities with heat.

In the meantime here’s a snow filled look at New York City on October 29, 2011: