Widespread Power Outages Hit Mass., State of Emergency Declared

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A potentially record-breaking nor’easter, dumping snow and high winds throughout Massachusetts overnight, has left many residents powerless this morning.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported that 650,688 utility customers are without power across the state this morning. Western and Central Massachusetts were the hardest hit. Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency Saturday night.

Large portions of Norfolk County, including Wrentham, are also without power this morning. According to Boston.com, about 70 percent of Wrentham (3,256 customers), 50.7 percent of Norfolk (1,810 customers) and 17 percent of Plainville (724 customers) have no power as of this morning. Many residents, who still have the r on top of mind, are left to wonder when their power will be restored. However, unlike Irene, temperatures are low, causing an even more stressful situation.

According to the Weather Channel, the weekend storm is the greatest October snowstorm on record for the Northeast, dating back to the Civil War.

In anticipation of power outages, National Grid has extra crews ready to assist in the hard-hit areas.

National Grid spokeswoman Jackie Barry said that heavy, wet snow falling on leaf-bearing trees caused trees and limbs to fall on lines, the Boston Globe reports.

Barry said that crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers safety tips for power outages. Click here to view.