3 people reported dead; states of emergency declared across Northeast

NEW YORK — A rare October snowstorm blasted across the heavily populated U.S. Northeast on Saturday, knocking out power to about 2.5 million customers, delaying airline flights and threatening some areas with up to a foot of snow.

Three storm-related deaths were reported. One occurred in Springfield, Mass., where a 20-year-old motorist got out of a car and touched a guardrail electrified by a downed power line,WWLP.com reported. Police Capt. William Collins said the man stopped when he saw police and firefighters examining downed wires and stepped in the wrong place.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, a snow-laden tree fell on a home, killing an 84-year-old man who was napping in his recliner. In Colchester, Conn., there was a traffic-related death, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.

By 2 p.m. EDT, New York City had broken an October snow record with 1.3 inches in Central Park, making this the snowiest October there since records began being kept in 1869, NBC New York reported.

In a tweet, New York City officials said

that all city parks were closed, citing the risk of falling trees.

Story: Snow cancels NY, Philly flights, makes road travel treacherous

Snow came down hard from central Pennsylvania to southeastern New York and southern New England after hitting parts of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland earlier in the day. Newark, N.J., reported 3.8 inches by 6:06 p.m. EDT, and Harrisburg, Pa., had 5 inches.

Communities inland were getting hit hardest, with eastern Pennsylvania serving as the bull's-eye for the storm. West Milford, N.J., about 45 miles northwest of New York City, had received 15.5 inches of snow by Saturday night, while Plainfield, Mass., had gotten 14.3 inches.

Nearly two feet of snow were reported in Massachusetts' Berkshire Mountains, The Weather Channel said.

By late Saturday, the storm had vacated most of Pennsylvania and was tracking northeast.

Nearly 2.5 million customers lost power from Maryland north through Massachusetts, and utilities were bringing in crews from other states to help restore it. In New Jersey, 665,000 people were without power, including Gov. Chris Christie, who lost electricity about 4 p.m. Utilities in Connecticut reported more than 700,000 without power. Other totals: Pennsylvania, 560,000; Massachusetts, 485,000; New York, 260,000.

Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut declared states of emergencies.

Christie told NBC New York that the hardest-hit parts of New Jersey were in the northern part of the state, including Sussex, Essex, Morris, and Bergen counties. He urged residents to stay off the roads, which will allow power companies to restore power much quicker.

"If you have power count your blessings," he told NBC New York. "And if you don't, find a place to stay warm."

See story and video at nbcnewyork.com

Officials had warned that the heavy, wet snow combined with fully leafed trees could lead to downed tree branches and power lines, resulting in power outages and blocked roads.

Delays were reported at Philadelphia International Airport and at New York area airports. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, some arrivals were delayed by more than four hours, and six hours at Newark Airport. One live flight tracking site, FlightAware, tweeted more than 1,000 flights had been cancelled nationwide.

"It's going to be wet, sticky and gloppy," said NWS spokesman Chris Vaccaro. "It's not going to be a dry, fluffy snow."

Snow, snow and more 
Communities inland were expected to get hit hardest. The heaviest snow was forecast for the Massachusetts Berkshires, the Litchfield Hills in northwestern Connecticut, southwestern New Hampshire and the southern Green Mountains.

Relatively warm water temperatures along the Atlantic seaboard could keep the snowfall totals much lower along the coast and in cities such as Boston, National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Simpson said, with 3 inches of snowfall forecast along the I-95 corridor.

While October snow is not unprecedented, records for the month could be broken in parts of southern New England, especially at higher elevations, National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Simpson said. The October record for southern New England is 7.5 inches in Worcester in 1979.

Big day for snowball 
For the college football game between Penn State and the University of Illinois in State College, Pa., fans were making the most of what school officials said was the first measurable snowfall for any October home game since records began being kept in 1896. The crowds were thinner, but "the die-hards are here," said T.J. Coursen of Center Hall, an alum.

"I never thought about not going," said sophomore Tim Tallmadge. "You only get to be in the student section for four years."

The snow failed to deter the travel plans of Dave Baker, who's been going to Penn State football games for 45 years and made the 200-mile drive from Warminster, outside Philadelphia. He merely adjusted his packing list: Out went the breakfast fixings — his group ate early at a restaurant rather than at the tailgate — in stayed the burgers and hot dogs. And the cold came in handy.

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