East Coast storm death toll climbs to five as thousands left without power: Live

Major storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the East Coast

Massive storm system drenches East Coast threatening holiday travel

At least five people died after dangerous flooding pounded New England.

A 72-year-old woman, named as Nancy Morrow, died in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on Sunday after becoming trapped as her car was fully submerged in water, officials said.

Another 73-year-old man, identified as Allan “Ray “ Nolt, in Pennsylvania was also killed after his vehicle became submerged in high water on Monday, according to the coroner’s office in Lancaster County.

Two more people, including a 40-year-old in Maine man whom police have not yet named, and an 89-year-old man in Massachusetts, were killed by fallen trees after the storm caused strong winds.

Meanwhile, a fifth person died in New York when their vehicle went around a barricade on a flooded road and was swept into the Catskill Creek, the Times Union reported.

It comes after 58 million Americans were put under flood warnings yesterday amid a major storm on the East Coast.

The storm unleashed between two and four inches of rainfall across the region within a 24-hour period, triggering flooding that engulfed cars, trapped drivers on inundated roadways in New Jersey and Connecticut, and prompted water rescues in New Hampshire and Maine.

The severe weather also left more than 620,000 homes and businesses in the region without power, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the power outages were reported in Maine, where 432,000 people remained in the dark as of Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday morning, the storm moved into Canada, but the National Weather Service warned its impact will “linger,” with snow in parts of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as parts of the Great Lakes and Appalachians, while areas with higher river levels were still experiencing flooding.

Key points

• 58 million Americans under flood watches
• More than 600,000 across the northeast are without power: tracker
• Five killed as dangerous floods pound New England
• Storm moves to Canada, but its impact will ‘linger’ - NWS

[19 December 2023 15:00 · Martha Mchardy]

Flood and wind warnings issued, airlines and schools affected as strong storm hits the Northeast

Heavy rain and high winds swept through the Northeast on Monday for the second time in a week, spurring flood warnings, electricity outages, flight cancelations and school closings.

The National Weather Service predicted up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain in some parts of the region. More than 245,000 power outages were reported from Pennsylvania to New York to New England, with numerous reports of trees falling on power lines. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) were forecast for the southeast New England coast, the Weather Service said.

Nearly 50 flights were canceled and nearly 90 were delayed at New York-area airports, according to FlightAware. Many school districts canceled or delayed classes because of the conditions. Commuter rail systems were reporting delays.

[19 December 2023 16:36 · Martha Mchardy]