Photos: Snow Storm Batters Northeast in October 2011 [PHOTOS AND VIDEO]
By IBTimes Reporter | Oct 30, 2011 06:52 PM EDT
While some are rejoicing at the unexpected snow over Halloween weekend, many otehrs face power outages, mass delays, and dangerous driving conditions as the rare Northeast snow storm travels up the East Coast, with New York, New Jersey, and Connecicut hit the hardest.
Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency in New Jersey on Oct. 29, 2011, while the storm spread across New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as parts of Vermont, Maryland and New Hampshire. As the storm moved up the East Coast, citizens began to prepare for sweeping power outages and dangerous driving conditions.
Snowfall across the Northeast spanned everything from a trace of powder to several feet of snow as Halloween weekend came to a close. Jaffrey, NH reported 31.4 inches of snowfall, the heaviest so far.
Youtube users quickly took to the Internet to record the blizzard-like conditions, including time-lapse videos like this one in Western Massachusetts, Oct. 29. Six inches of snow had fallen by the end of the recording.
"Occupy Wall Street" hunkered down for the snow storm. Some protestors in New York City went home for warmer clothes and food, but many soon returned to the sleet-battered tents at Zuccotti Park. Kristen Saloomey of Al Jazeera visited the demonstrators as police officers took away most heat sources, citing them as fire hazards. Volunteer medics say 25 cases of hypothermia have already been recorded.
Traveling through the snow storm on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, 2011, many drivers noted fallen or low-hanging trees, ice patches, and other dangerous bits of debris cluttering the road. Amtrak trains were delayed for over a dozen hours, whil frequent fliers found themselves stranded at local airports.
Driving on the road cost less time, but could prove far more dangerous for Snow Storm 2011. Here, a man in Chelmsford, Mass. records his journey through a snow-covered detour after Route 27 was closed during the rare October storm.
The October snow storm is expected to exit Maine by nightfall, but not before continuing to wreak havoc on its Northeast inhabitants. Conn. Gov. Dannel Malloy said the state has experiences the largest number of power outages in its history so far, and services may not return to normal on the Northeast for up to a week in some states.
Football fans scale huge drifts of snow and ice outside MetLife Stadium on Oct. 30, 2011.
Source: REUTERS/Mike Segar
Occupy Wall Street, a people-powered movement, began on Sept.17, 2011 in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District. It has since spread to dozens of U.S. cities and numerous other international cities. Protesters say they are fighting back against the power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process, as well as the role Wall Street played in the economic collapse that caused the recent recession.
Source: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Ice clings to rose bushes in Nyack, New York on Oct. 29. The rare October snowstorm has blanketed the Northeast, with some areas dealing with snow damage and major power outages.
Source: REUTERS/Mike Segar
Giants fan Decklan Corcoran climbs a giant pile of snow in the parking lot at MetLife Stadium before the New York Giants play the Miami Dolphins, Oct. 30.
Source: REUTERS/Mike Segar
Boston fire fighters struggle to put out a five-alarm blaze at the height of the snow storm. Transportation and emergency services have been hard-hit by the rare October storm.
Source: REUTERS/Stringer
A tree pins a car following the unexpected snow storm sweeping the Northeast. 3 have been killed in the storm so far, and power has been knocked out for some 3 million homes and businesses.
Source: Creative Commons
Football fans attempt a frozen tailgate before the NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins.
Source: Mike Segar / Reuters
Cars get stuck in the blizzard conditions near Glenbrook, Conn. on Oct. 29. Several cities and towns have activated emergency operations centers and shelters in anticipation of collisions and increased power outages.
Source: Flickr/Creative Commons
