Nearly 9,000 in NH Without Power, More than 200 Crashes Reported on Highways

CONCORD, NH — The last nor’easter of 2016 has past the 12-hour mark and the National Weather Service is reporting that some locations in the Granite State are seeing multiple inches of snow falling per hour. The winter storm warning remains in effect until 5 a.m. on Friday with heavy snow and accumulations of up to 12 inches by the time the storm ends. The storm warning – updated at 9:14 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2016 – is predicting that roads will be treacherous throughout the night as temperatures drop below 20 degrees.

“Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous,” according to the alert. “Only travel in an emergency.”

If you must travel, the warning stated, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency, the alert advises.

Crashes everywhere

The state’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department reported on Twitter at 11 p.m. that there were 202 crashes and cars off state roads during the last 12 hours but no significant injuries.

Roads were closed mostly in central New Hampshire communities like Pembroke. Two shelters were opened in communities. Speed limits had been reduced to 45 mph.

Power outages

At just before 10 p.m., nearly 11,000 New Hampshire residents were reportedly without power but at just before 11 p.m., that number had dropped to about 9,000.

Eversource reported the largest number of outages – more than 8,000, mostly centered around the storm line that is shifting between snow and freezing rain, running across Rockingham County.

More than 1,500 in Londonderry and more than 1,000 in Hudson are without power. Hooksett is also reporting more than 1,200 without power. Amherst has slightly less than 100 customers without power while Merrimack has around 140 and Bedford is reporting 24 without power. Milford has a handful without power. Brentwood is reporting more than 600 without power with about 750 in Brookline also without power.

Eversource stated that it has more than 500 employees in New Hampshire working on restoring power.

Until had just shy of 2,000 without power, mostly centered on the Seacoast and north central Massachusetts, including hundreds of Exeter residents, due to a broken tree on lines. About 100 remain without power at just before 11 p.m.

Liberty Utilities is reporting about 400 without power in Pelham and 14 customers in Windham without power.

Snow totals

At just before 10 p.m., National Weather Service spotters were reporting anywhere from 3 to 13.6 inches of snow around New Hampshire.

Areas of Merrimack County, including Concord, are seeing anywhere from 6 to 9 inches of the white stuff. Hillsborough County is also seeing similar snow spreads with 3.5 inches in Merrimack, 3.8 inches in Nashua, and 8 inches in Milford. Rockingham County is seeing more than 3 inches. Londonderry is reporting 5.8 inches so far.

@CheriseWMUR pic.twitter.com/NyjgJ6EfIx

— Max (@RML1973) December" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/RML1973/st... 30, 2016

Lincoln – including Loon Mountain, which reported a major fire tonight, is reporting 10 inches of snow tonight.

@NECN huge fire at loon mountain, fire department isn't here yet and it's been burning for 20 min + pic.twitter.com/sD9wZ9EFzU

— Natalie Elder (@nataliejelder) December" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/nataliejel... 30, 2016

Tollbooth photo credit Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography. FrameofMindPhoto.com.