Winter Storm Riley Has Claimed At Least Seven Lives And Left Over Two Million Without Power

Winter Storm Riley, the massive nor’easter that brought damaging winds, flooding and several feet of snow to the East Coast from Georgia all the way up to Maine has moved out, but high winds remain in its aftermath. The second “bomb cyclone” type of storm to hit the United States this year, Riley left over two million without power as of Friday afternoon, with power failures affecting 17 states. States of emergencies were declared by the governors of Maryland and Virginia, and in cities throughout New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

At least seven people are dead in the wake of the storm due to fallen trees and limbs, including two children — a six-year-old boy in Virginia and an 11-year-old boy in New York.

The storm also affected travelers on Friday, as over 3,000 flights were canceled and 3,500 were delayed across the country. Amtrak completely suspended its service along the Northeast Corridor due to “extreme-weather-related issues,” stranding commuters in the cities of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington.

Coastal flooding from the storm crippled parts of New England, damaging homes, closing roads, and submerging cars.

Members of the National Guard, activated by Gov. Charlie Baker ahead of the storm’s arrival, assisted in the rescues. In Quincy, where some 100 people were rescued from high water during the storm, residents said it among the worst flooding they’d ever seen.

“I’ve lived here for five years. I’ve seen lots of snowstorms, rainstorms, wind, but I have never seen anything like this before,” resident Wayne Adams told WBZ. “That kind of flooding, I didn’t think it was possible.”

The good news is that according to the Boston Globe, another nor’easter has the potential to bring more rain and snow to the area as soon as Wednesday of next week.

(Via New York Times, Weather.com, Boston Globe)