WMass spared the worst of Sandy

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The storm that was Hurricane Sandy caused heavy damage up and down the East Coast, but fortunately for western Massachusetts residents, the worst of it missed us.

The most noticeable damage from the storm in western Massachusetts has been in the Berkshires and in the Hilltowns of western Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, where downed trees and branches caused power outages and some blocked roads.

Thousands of utility customers across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties lost power, as gusts of more than 50 miles per hour hit parts of the area. As of 1:15 P.M ., Western Massachusetts Electric Company is reporting 8,837 customers without power, with significant outages in Pittsfield , Lanesborough, Middlefield, Becket, Hinsdale, Washington, and Blandford, with scattered outages across the Hilltowns and in Franklin and Berkshire Counties.

National Grid is reporting 7,544 customers without power, predominately in Berkshire, Franklin, and eastern Hampden County.

You can track power outages in real time on the websites of   WMECo ( WMECo mobile site )and National Grid. .

The effects of Sandy have been much more acute in coastal areas, including in eastern Massachusetts and Connecticut. In eastern Mass, hundreds of thousands of customers are without electricity, and in Connecticut, much of New London and Middlesex Counties are without power, and coastal flooding has been a problem.

There is some good news on the transportation front Tuesday morning, as the PVTA has announced that all routes will be running on a normal schedule. Bus service had ended at 1:00 P.M. on Monday.

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has lifted the ban on travel on state highways, and as such, major roadways like Interstate 91 and Interstate 84 are open again.

The 22News Storm Team predicts that the remnants of Sandy will linger in the Northeast over the next few days, though her winds will become less intense. Power outages and fallen tree limbs could remain a concern.