The Slatest

Flooding Becomes Major Concern as Blizzard Leaves Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

The powerful storm dumped more than two feet of snow overnight in parts of New England

Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images

A powerful storm hitting the Northeastern United States has already dumped as much as three feet of snow in some areas. And it’s far from over. Rather than dying down, the storm appeared to gain strength around the Boston area Saturday with winds as high as 70 miles per hour, reports the New York Times. Forecasters warn much more snow is expected Saturday, particularly in Boston, where as much as 30 inches of snow could fall today. The possibility of flooding is also turning into a big concern, particularly in Massachusetts.

Throughout the night, the powerful nor’easter brought hurricane-strength winds that blew down power lines and has left more than 650,000 without power. Connecticut and southern Massachusetts are among the worst-hit areas. More than three feet of snow has fallen in central Connecticut, reports the Associated Press. And more than two feet on Long Island and in Massachusetts, where residents are being forced to hunker down after the governor issued a rare travel ban Friday, notes the Boston Globe.

So far, at least four deaths in the United States are being blamed on the storm, reports the AP.

This post has been updated with new information since it was originally published.