BLIZZARD SLAMS NORTHEAST

The roar of snowblowers and the scrape of shovels were heard across the Northeast as residents tried to free their sidewalks and cars from mounds of snow left by a weekend blizzard. Today`s classes were canceled in many Massachusetts schools and colleges, and Gov. Mitt Romney asked nonessential state workers in the eastern part of the state not to come to work. Dozens of school districts across New Jersey also canceled classes or delayed openings. At least 14 deaths were linked to the weather: three in Conneticut, three in Ohio, three in Wisconsin, two in Pennsylvania and one each in Maryland, Iowa and Massachusetts. On Nantucket Island, there were 84 mph wind gusts reported, the storm plunged the entire island into darkness until Sunday night, when power was restored. Two communities in Massachusetts, Salem and Plymouth, tied for the deepest snow with 38 inches each, according to the National Weather Service. Over 3 feet fell in some places north of Boston, parts of New Hamshire got 2 feet, and New York`s Catskills collected at least 20 inches. More than 12 inches fell in 17 of New Jersey`s 21 counties, and a wind chill advisory was scheduled to remain in effect through this morning. The winds were also blowing the snow around across the region, causing drifting and visibility problems. Boston`s Logan International Airport closed early Sunday, and was not expected to reopen until today. Service at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, was not expected to return to normal until today. More than 900 flights were canceled Sunday morning at the New York metropolitan area`s Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, in addition to about 700 that were grounded Saturday. Philadephia`s airport was open again Sunday, after a shutdown and flight cancellations on Saturday stranded hundreds of travelers at the terminal overnight, but more than 70 departures were canceled. Nearly 1,300 flights were canceled from Friday through Sunday at Chicago`s O`Hare International.