Schools closed, Halloween postponed as storm cleanup continues

BOSTON — It may be Halloween, but the major storm that left more than 320,000 utility customers in the dark Monday is putting a damper on celebrations across the area.

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Several cities and towns have been forced to postpone trick-or-treating as more than 135,000 remain without power.

The powerful winds toppled trees, crashing them down onto homes, cars and businesses, as well as taking down utility wires.

MORE: MEMA prepared for 'multi-day event' with widespread power outages

As a result of the storm that impacted the area, numerous cities and towns have closed schools so crews can continue to remove downed trees and restore power.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday said the state is bracing for a “multi-day event.” It could take days for power to be restored, and help will be needed from the Great Lakes Region as well as Canada.

MORE: More than 320K without power at height of massive storm

Communities across the Merrimack Valley were hit especially hard by the storm, and most of Andover remain without power.

By the time the storm moved out of the area, 80 percent of the town was in the dark, including schools, town offices and a fire station.

STORM REPORTS: Rain Totals | Wind Speeds/Damage

It’s not going to be a quick fix either.

National Grid said it appears the problem stems from 33 high-tension power lines, and it will take days to make repairs.

PHOTOS: Massive storm moves through Massachusetts

Schools are closed in Andover again Tuesday, and so is trick-or-treating. Town officials told residents to stay off the roads so cleanup can continue.

In Worcester, a massive concrete wall collapsed and crushed cars that had been parked in a parking lot.

RELATED: Halloween 2017: Massachusetts trick or treating times

Residents said they heard the wall begin to crumble around 1 a.m. Monday as the storm was moving through.

Worcester received about four inches of rain between Sunday and Monday.

No injuries were reported.

A father and his 14-month-old daughter escaped death after getting caught in flooding in Leominster. A photo shows the Matthew Marcil’s car completely submerged in a mall parking lot.

He told Boston 25 News he was on his way to a daycare when the incident occurred. He said the water started to trickle into the vehicle, but quickly rose past his knees.

He said his daughter never got wet because only the front of the car was under water at first.

The fire department said that particular spot is prone to flooding, and were called back to the same spot to perform another rescue later in the day.

Cox Media Group