A surprise hit of October snow

RIVER VALLEY — A powerful snow and rainstorm swept through the region on October 28, disrupting schedules, making roads slippery and causing power outages. Authorities speculated that the snow-ladened autumn leaves, still on the trees, caused numerous branches to break and knock down power lines.

In Sullivan County, school districts opened late and closed early, and several districts in Wayne and Pike counties did the same.

New York State Electric and Gas reported about 700 customers without power in the Towns of Highland and Tusten and another 240 out in Cochecton. The heavy wet snow also knocked out power to PPL customers in Wayne and Pike counties.

New York’s Thruway Authority reported that sections of Interstate 84 near the New York-Pennsylvania state line were closed temporarily because there were numerous accidents on the road near Port Jervis, NY.