Storm in Northeast after hitting Midwest

The deadly storm that has badgered the Midwest with blackouts, heavy snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures ventured into the Northeast on Thursday, swelling rivers and creeks and coating highways with dangerous layers of ice.

As the storm reached the East Coast, a foot of snow fell around southern New York, and parts of the Hudson Valley saw up to eight inches of snow before sleet and freezing rain arrived. Troopers worked overtime to handle hundreds of accidents.

The messy roads have been blamed in at least 17 traffic deaths, including nine in Oklahoma, this week as the storm moved eastward. Several other people have been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning and while shoveling snow.

The snowstorm that brought varying amounts as it moved through Maine tapered off Thursday without leaving highways impassable as it had in the Midwest. The National Weather Service in Gray said most towns and cities had recorded only small accumulations by the time the storm began to fade. Portland had recorded about 4 inches, while other cities saw as few as 2.

Maine State Police received numerous complaints of motorists sliding off highways around the state, but there were no reports of serious injury. Disruptions at Portland International Jetport were also minimal.