The latest on the Northeast snowstorm
By The Associated Press, Associated Press
Jan 27, 2015 8:48 PM CST
Men and machines clear snow off the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. A storm packing blizzard conditions spun up the East Coast early Tuesday, pounding parts of coastal New Jersey northward through Maine with high winds and heavy snow. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)   (Associated Press)

9:45 P.M. EST

Residents of New Hampshire, where Nashua got 33 inches of snow and Hudson got 32, are venturing outside to assess the damage. Bob Preston is a real estate agent in Seabrook, a coastal town strafed by high winds and almost 28 inches of snow. Making his rounds to check on waterfront properties, he came up with one assessment: "You've got to be crazy to be out," Preston said. "The roads are terrible. It's so easy to get stuck. You hit the snowdrifts everywhere."

Snowfall totals also have exceeded 2 feet in Thompson, Connecticut (33.5 inches); Lewiston, Maine (27 inches); Littleton, Massachusetts (34 inches); Burrillville, Rhode Island (26.5 inches), and many other places.

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7 P.M. EST

It's about 16 degrees in Boston. Forecasters say the bitter cold could hang on: The low on Wednesday is expected to be 10 degrees, with wind chill minus 5, and it likely won't get above freezing for the next week or so.

Traveling by land, air and sea remains difficult in Maine because of the snowstorm. Bangor International Airport officials say it's unclear when scheduled flights will be able to depart on Wednesday.

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4:30 P.M. EST

The USS Providence, a tall ship replica of a Revolutionary War vessel, was seriously damaged when strong wind toppled as it lay in dry dock in Newport, Rhode Island. Owner and captain Thorpe Leeson says the mast is broken and the hull is punctured, but the ship will "come back to life."

While the rest of New England was getting battered by one of the biggest snowstorms in years, Vermont shrugged off the forecast of 10 inches of snow in southern sections of the state. "I don't know whether people are staying home or what, but it's not too bad," Vermont Transportation Agency dispatcher Larry Dodge said.

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2:30 P.M. EST

Nearly the entire island of Nantucket, off the coast of snow-socked Massachusetts, has lost power, A hospital that's running on a generator there says it delivered a "blizzard baby" at about 4 a.m. On the mainland, a travel ban was lifted in the state's four westernmost counties but remained elsewhere.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says about 500 pieces of equipment are on their way to Long Island to help start digging out. Much of Suffolk and Nassau counties received 1 to 2 feet of snow, including 28.5 inches in Orient.

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12:30 P.M. EST

Air travel is slowly resuming at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after hundreds of flights were canceled, and most flights remain canceled at LaGuardia and JFK airports in New York. Subway, bus and train service in New York has resumed and will operate on a Sunday schedule on Tuesday.

New Hampshire is under a state of emergency as the National Weather Service is still calling for a total of 18 to 24 inches in the southern part of the state before the storm tapers off this afternoon.

A yeti is on the loose in Boston — at least one. Rather, someone dressed in a white, furry sasquatch suit was spotted hailing a cab in suburban Somerville and another was seen walking in about 18 inches of snow in downtown Copley Square.

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10:30 A.M. EST

Amtrak is resuming limited service between New York City and Albany, New York, but connecting service remains suspended to and from Boston, where blizzard conditions are likely to return this afternoon after a lull in the storm.

The storm has punched out a section of the seawall in the coastal town of Marshfield, Massachusetts. And in Vermont, the main east-west highway across the southern part of the state is closed after a tractor-trailer became stuck in Searsburg.

Snow totals so far: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, 26.2 inches; Boston, 14.5 inches; Providence, Rhode Island, 11 inches; Central Park, New York, 7.8 inches; Philadelphia, 1.2 inches.

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8:30 A.M. EST

Motorists can get back on the roads in New Jersey and New York City, and subways and buses restart. The governors of New York and New Jersey lift travel bans, though New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo kept it in place for Suffolk County on Long Island. New York City subway, bus and rail service starts phasing in service.

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7 A.M. EST

The storm continues to pound eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut and eastern Long Island, where accumulations could reach 2 feet. Light snow is falling in New York City, which got about 7-10 inches of snow. Philadelphia, initially predicted to get about a foot of snow, gets about an inch. Boston is virtually shut down, but places farther south are reopening, with New Jersey lifting a travel ban in the southern half of the state.

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6 A.M. EST

Amtrak suspends service north of New York and reduces its schedule for trains operating south of New York. Northeast Regional and Acela Express services are operating on a reduced schedule between New York and Washington.

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4 A.M. EST

Maine Gov. Paul LePage declares a state of emergency and announces that all state offices are closed Tuesday. LePage cites the forecast for winter storm and blizzard conditions, as well as the potential coastal flooding in southwest Maine.

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MIDNIGHT EST

Rhode Island implemented a travel ban on all roads and closed its bridges.

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11 P.M. EST

Authorities ban travel on city streets and highways in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey except for first responders and essential personnel.

Philadelphia, which had expected to receive up to 14 inches of snow, could now get much less. Mayor Michael Nutter says forecasters are projecting 6 to 10 inches of snow but strong winds are still anticipated.

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10 P.M. EST

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation waived tolls along the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Tobin Bridge and the Harbor Tunnels until further notice.

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9 P.M. EST

New Jersey Transit has shut down service but says it will restore operations "as soon as possible." It had said earlier that commuter trains wouldn't run until at least Thursday because of the snowstorm.

Streets across the Northeast are almost empty. In New York City, it seems most workers are back at home for the night. Long Island resident Sameer Navi, who works for Citigroup in Manhattan, followed officials' advice about going home early to avoid the brunt of the storm. "I did leave earlier than usual," he says.

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8 P.M. EST

The snow lets up, with none falling in Philadelphia and only light flurries in Providence, Rhode Island, in Boston and in New York City. But New York Mayor Bill de Blasio warns residents not to grow relaxed because of the lull: "This is literally the calm before the storm," he says.

Amtrak says it will suspend rail service in the New England region and modify service between New York and Washington on Tuesday because of snowy conditions. It says the Acela Express and Northeast Regional service between New York and Boston will be suspended.

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7 P.M. EST

Snowfall totals: In New York City, close of 5 inches in Queens and more than 4 inches in Central Park, the National Weather Service says. In parts of Pennsylvania, as much as 3 inches.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo tells residents to prepare for 2 to 3 feet of snow and expect to potentially be without power for days. "Stay in your house until you hear otherwise," Raimondo warns.

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6 P.M. EST

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy activates 400 members of the National Guard to assist with any emergency that may arise and orders all nonessential state workers to stay home Tuesday.

The New York State Thruway Authority is restricting all tractor-trailers on Interstate 87 between Newburgh and the New York City Line.

Snow predictions have risen in Maine to 2 feet, and dozens of school districts and businesses say they'll be closed Tuesday, including public schools in Bangor, Biddeford, Falmouth and Saco.

2,000 pieces: The size of the puzzle lifelong Augusta, Maine, resident Heather Gluck has on hand to bide her time if power goes out. "If I have to do it by candlelight tonight, I will," she said.

Flights canceled: About 7,500 through Wednesday.

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5 P.M. EST

Broadway theaters are shuttering as the snowstorm begins to blast Times Square. All performances will be closed on Monday, a traditionally quiet night with few shows available, and no decision about Tuesday has been made.

Massachusetts: 500 National Guard troops are on stand-by to be quickly deployed if needed, says Gov. Charlie Baker.

Commuter trains: A Connecticut travel ban begins at 9 p.m., and Metro North is running more trains than normal to get commuters home well before heavy snow arrives tonight. In New York, Port Authority Trans-Hudson rail service will operate on weekend schedules after 9 p.m.

Weather unfit for man or beast: New York City's four zoos and aquarium will be closed Tuesday. The Wildlife Conservation Society says they closed at 3 p.m. Monday.

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4 P.M. EST

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says hundreds of thousands of people could lose electricity and it could take several days for it all to be restored. Connecticut can expect at least 100,000 power outages, utility companies say.

A full jury was seated Monday in the Aaron Hernandez murder trial in Fall River, Massachusetts, but a judge pushed opening statements to at least Thursday because of the storm.

New Jersey: Road crews are salting major highways, and speed is restricted to 45 mph on the entire Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike.

Philadelphia: Snow emergency starts at 6 p.m. ahead of an expected 10 to 14 inches of snow. That means cars left on major arteries will be towed.

Flights canceled through Wednesday: About 7,000.

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3 P.M. EST

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to residents: Be off the roads by 8 p.m. before the full force of this "multiday event" arrives. And Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker issues an indefinite ban on all nonessential motor vehicle travel starting at midnight, punishable by a fine of up to $500. What they fear is that the impending winds of 60 to 70 mph and swirling snow will make travel extra-treacherous.

New York City's major stock exchanges say they plan to hold normal trading hours Tuesday despite the crippling load of snow expected in the city. Why? Most trades are now handled electronically.

Airlines: Most major carriers say they'll waive the change fee, typically $200, for passengers who reschedule their travel to or from the Northeast through Tuesday.

Amtrak: Trains will continue to run in the Northeast corridor, but passengers should expect reduced service in the 440-mile stretch between Boston and Washington.

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2 P.M. EST

A spokesman at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire says all flights likely will be canceled Tuesday — the first time the airport would close in 25 years. The southern part of the state expects about 2 feet of snow.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says streets will be closed to all but emergency vehicles starting at 11 p.m. ahead of the 18 to 24 inches of snow expected. A blizzard warning is now on for the city through midnight Tuesday.

New York: Fire Department plans to have an extra 500 staffers on duty.

New Jersey: NJ Transit shuts down starting at 8 p.m. Monday and commuter trains won't be restored until at least Thursday morning.

Flights canceled: More than 6,000.

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1 P.M. EST

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declares a state of emergency, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo considers a travel ban for the New York City area ahead of storm that is expected to start in earnest Monday evening.

Snow already is falling in Philadelphia and New York, but the worst is expected tonight and into Tuesday, with 1 to 3 feet across much of the region, affecting 35 million people.

A coastal flood warning has been issued from New Jersey to Massachusetts amid predictions of heavy winds, up to 75 mph in some areas.

Flights canceled: Nearly 6,000, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Philadelphia: Schools close at noon, nonessential city workers to leave two hours later.

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NOON EST

The Northeast shuts down against a snowstorm that could be one for the history books, with some 35 million people in its path in the Philadelphia-to-Boston corridor.

Snow is coming down in Philadelphia and New York, and Boston is up next in the afternoon. The worst of it is expected to hit tonight and into Tuesday, with 1 to 3 feet across much of the region.

Flights canceled: More than 5,000 and counting.

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