Mix of heavy winds and rain knocks out power to thousands

Torrential rains overspread much of the East on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

BOSTON (AP) — A storm packing a mix of heavy winds and rain knocked out power to thousands of homes across the Northeast region Christmas morning.

There were more than 7,000 customers without power early Friday in Massachusetts. State officials and utility companies had warned that the winds could knock down trees, bringing power lines down with them.

Winds gusted more than 60 miles per hour in some areas during the early morning hours.

Thousands of electric customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maine were also without power on Christmas Day.

Adding to the flooding woes were rising temperatures, accelerating the melting of snow.