Region digs out after big snowfall

BOSTON (AP) — The scrape of snow shovels and the drone of snowblowers filled the New England air on Wednesday as the region cleaned up from a storm that left 2 feet of snow in some places and tens of thousands without power.

More than 150,000 customers in Massachusetts and another 20,000 in Maine were still without electricity midday Wednesday, a day after the storm. Utilities warned that it could be several days before everyone is back online, as line crews are hampered by streets blocked by downed trees.

Schools across the region remained closed while several shelter warming centers opened.

Two trees fell on Brian King’s home in Carver, Massachusetts, which got 10 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

“I love a good snowstorm, but I’m ready, I’m all done,” he told WCVB-TV.

In Billerica, Massachusetts, where 25.5 inches of snow fell, Michelle Furlong made an age-old New England winter threat as she shoveled.

“We all say we’re going to move, right. Never happens,” she said.

Uxbridge was the leader with nearly 28 inches. Foster got more than 25 inches, while in Connecticut, Killingly had just over 20 inches.

Raymond, New Hampshire, got 27 inches, while Limerick and Newfield, Maine, had 23.5 inches each.

High winds and blowing snow led meteorologists to categorize the storm as a blizzard in parts of New England, including Boston. Gusts approached 70 mph on Cape Cod, the weather service said.