Sudden spring showers battered the East coast of US bringing life to a mere halt. A record 8inches rain that lashed the northeast is being dubbed as the region’s worst in recent times. It knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of households causing a minimum of 11 deaths nationwide.
The devastating storm brought with it a mix of rain with snow showers from the beaches of South Carolina to the mountains of Maine. It showed no immediate sign of letting up. The squall was so harsh in the Westchester County suburbs north of New York City and in New Jersey, that a state of emergency was declared with more than 1,400 residents evacuated.
The severe rains sent rivers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts over banks, nearing flood levels. With this few commuters returning from their homes were left stranded at places. All waited eagerly for the flood waters to recede so that they could have a safe journey home.
This one is really a horror show,
Governor Eliot Spitzer was caught saying here on Monday after touring hard-hit areas north of New York City.
Though rain and snow showers were forecast to continue the next day across the upper Northeast as the storm drifts out to sea, while Mid-Atlantic States will have a sigh of relief with clouds clearing away, but continued chilly temperatures had their part to play, according to The Weather Channel.
In Vermont, 17 inches of snow and gusting wind as high as 70 mph caused heavy damage to transmission systems and widespread loss of electric service. More than 40,000 central Vermont homes, offices and businesses were without power. Even the electricity situation seems grim there. It might take a week before power is fully restored.
Many of the flights were cancelled.
Rains even forced cancellation of the Philadelphia Phillies’ home game against the New York Mets.
Climate change is having its say on bigger fronts now. The sudden burst of storm and an unexpected rain can be blamed on global warming.
via: USATODAY