At least 25 people have died in Erie County, New York, as a result of a massive winter storm.
As a massive winter storm continues to blast much of the US with brutal winter weather – leading to at least 37 deaths nationwide – parts of western New York have been buried by up to 43 inches of snow, leaving vehicles stuck and power out for thousands on Christmas weekend.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the storm is the
most devastating storm in Buffalo’s long storied history.”
Mark Poloncarz, the executive of Erie County said,
We had to send specialized rescue crews to go get the rescuers.
It was just horrendous, and it was horrendous for 24 hours in a row.
We’re used to snow here, we can handle snow. But with the wind, the blinding views – it was complete whiteouts – and the extreme cold, it was some of the worst conditions that any of us have ever seen.”
Many of New York’s weather-related fatalities were in Erie County, where some people were found dead in cars and on the street in snowbanks.
Hundreds of National Guard troops have been deployed to help with rescue efforts in New York. State police had been involved in over 500 rescues by Sunday, including delivering a baby and helping a man with 4% left on his mechanical heart.
Gov. Hochul said,
We’re still in the throes of this very dangerous life-threatening situation.”
There were 12,000 homes and businesses in Erie County without power Sunday evening, and many won’t have lights and heating back until Tuesday, Poloncarz said.
According to the National Weather Service, Buffalo will continue to see snowfall and frigid cold temperatures Monday, with a high of 23 degrees expected in the daytime and a low of 21 at night.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told CNN the storm is the “most devastating storm in Buffalo’s long storied history.” https://t.co/zV796FHoIC
— CNN (@CNN) December 26, 2022
(via CNN)
