Storm knocks out power to 200,000 East Coast residents, including northern New Yorkers

A northeasterly storm knocked out power on both coasts, leaving 30,000 New York power users in the dark Wednesday.

More than 200,000 East Coast utility users lost power, according to PowerOutage.us. The greatest losses occurred in the northern part of the state, where strong winds and heavy snowfall are forecast.

State officials warned of the “threat of widespread power outages” and “dangerous travel conditions” beginning Monday that threatened to last through Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, the National Weather Service said parts of New York could see up to 24 inches of snow for Thursday night. USA Today reported New York, Massachusetts and Vermont surpassed that mark coming in Wednesday morning. Stony Creek and Palenville, New York I woke up to at least three feet of snow. The Catskills were also hit hard.

hundreds of flights Departing from LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport were suspended or delayed Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

While the worst of the fall appears to have abated in most areas, packed snow still threatens power lines. Strong winds and some showers are likely to continue. Atlantic City, NJ recorded wind speeds exceeding 60 mph on Tuesday night, according to NBC News. Parts of Maine saw winds reaching the 70 mph mark.

West Coast residents also woke up to darkness.

Californians watched nearly 200,000 homes and businesses start their morning without power Wednesday. Residents have been warned to watch for flooding and mudslides. Pacific Gas & Electric told Golden State residents the worst of the storm was over and their crews were working in “challenging conditions” to restore power.

USA Today said 27,000 Californians were under evacuation orders on Tuesday when the wind speed exceeded 70 mph and the trees fell.