PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Just days before the Christmas holiday, people across the northeastern U.S. were mopping up Tuesday after a major storm dumped torrential rains and brought damaging winds from Pennsylvania to Maine, as some rivers in the region rose even higher. At least five people were killed.
Karen Williams, owner of Woodbury Mountain Toys in Montpelier, Vermont, which flooded in July and relocated across the street, said Monday’s weather put a damper on holiday business.
“It was about half of expectations,” she said.
By Tuesday, customers were calling to see if the store was open. “It’s been a good day so far,” she said Tuesday, noting this time she just got a couple of inches (centimeters) of water in her basement.
In South Berwick, Maine, Jessica Hyland said her family was told they’d be without power until after Christmas — a hardship for her daughter, who is on the autism spectrum. It was also going to be difficult to finish buying holiday gifts, Hyland said.
“I’m praying that’s a mistake,” Hyland said. “I won’t be able to finish my Christmas shopping and today is the last day for most places.”
In Hallowell, Maine, just south of the state capital
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