Your friend is really lucky, NY.
So, update on the damage. 36 houses were damaged, but not lost. The Orchard House (Louisa May Alcott) and Longfellow's Wayside home were in the center of the area, but not damaged. Trees down, power still out in some homes, but should be restored tomorrow. We have a local, town utility company, so they are on it. Basically, the storm kicked up as it crossed the highway and landed on this area, about the time we had been given the all clear, then got a second warning that it was heading northeast. No damage at my old house, either.