A deceptive calm fell over some communities in the large eye of the storm while others just kilometers (miles) away were whipped by sideways driving rain and 160-kilometer (100-mile) per-hour wind gusts.

Eerie green flashes lit up the night sky at intervals as transformers blew out, cutting electricity for yet more residents of the storm-weary state.

Officials said about 700,000 people were already without power and in many cases it could take weeks before it is restored.

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