Two Deaths Reported in Rochester, New York, as Nor'easter Hits Region

Sean Breslin
Published: January 25,2017
A powerful nor'easter pivoted away from New England on Wednesday, but not before three deaths were blamed on the storm system.
Officials said a mother and daughter were killed Tuesday afternoon in an accident in Rochester, New York, that may have been caused by slick roads. Kesha Knight, 42, and Shakira Howard, 22, died when the driver lost control of the vehicle, sliding into oncoming traffic, WHAM-TV reported. The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized with minor injuries but is expected to recover, the report added.
Authorities said a 60-year-old man was killed Monday afternoon in the north Philadelphia neighborhood of Hunting Park when high winds knocked a sign off a wall. The man, whose identity hasn't been released, was struck by the sign and died shortly after.
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Some snow accompanied the nor'easter, but the big challenge on the roads was ice and strong winds with gusts up to 35 mph. Highway speed limits were lowered to 45 mph in some areas, as several crashes were reported Tuesday on Interstate 87 and Interstate 95 in New York.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation said a number of vehicles slid off highways. Department spokesman Bill Boynton summed it up: "Very difficult weather conditions that were constantly changing."
Docked boats were smacking into one another in Rye Harbor, New Hampshire. The University of New Hampshire canceled classes on what was to be the first day of the spring semester.
More than 5,000 customers lost power in Maine, where the Legislature canceled all hearings and meetings, and some municipalities, including Portland, closed City Hall for non-essential staff due to very icy conditions.
In New Jersey, officials are assessing damage after powerful winds and heavy rain hit the New Jersey shore.
Whipping winds blew part of the roof off an oceanfront condo building in Long Branch in Monmouth County. Debris fell onto several parked cars below. Many beaches were left battered by the storm and officials are checking the extent of erosion.
New Jersey Transit trains resumed normal service Tuesday after making repairs to storm damage that delayed thousands of commuters.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.