The death toll from a Buffalo-area blizzard rose to 27 in western New York, authorities said Monday, as the region reeled from one of the worst weather-related disasters in its history. Much of the rest of the United States was hit by ferocious winter conditions.
Erie County officials confirmed Monday that through Christmas night 13 individuals who died as a result of the blizzard such as a car accident, exposure or a cardiac event involving snow shoveling. At least two who died suffered medical emergencies in their homes and couldn’t be saved because emergency crews were unable to reach them amid historic blizzard conditions.
"I have the very sad news to report that, in addition to the 13 confirmed deaths yesterday, the Erie County Department of Health Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed an additional 12 deaths -- bringing the total of the blizzard to 25 deaths countywide," Eric Co. Executive Mark Poloncarz said Monday morning, once again stressing that those who have a cardiac condition, regardless of age, to abstain from shoveling or snowblowing, saying that a number of the deaths were in individuals with cardiac conditions.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. Hochul said late Friday she was deploying 54 members of the National Guard to assist residents amid the winter storm and ferocious blizzard that have hit the region.
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Poloncarz said ambulances needed more than three hours for a single trip to a hospital when they could get through the snow and large snow drifts, abandoned cars and downed power lines are slowing the progress of plows in clearing roads.
“Some were found in cars, some were found on the street in snowbanks,” Poloncarz previously said. “We know there are people who have been stuck in cars for more than two days.”
"I have to offer, once again, my deepest condolences to all the family members, friends and loved ones of those who lost a loved one," Poloncarz said Monday. "There are probably individuals who have not yet been notified that their loved one has perished and I just want to say that this is a horrible situation."
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Poloncarz touched upon the scope of the magnitude of the storm and the devastating aftermath during his Monday presser.
"This may actually be now more deaths than occurred during the blizzard of '77," he said. "The blizzard of '77 lasted longer. Three days of terrible conditions. This was two days of terrible conditions, but the ferocity of the storm was worse than the blizzard of '77, and now it appears we have more deaths countywide."
Nationwide, the storm is blamed for at least 50 deaths, with rescue and recovery efforts ongoing Monday.
Deep snow, single-digit temperatures and day-old power outages sent Buffalo residents scrambling Saturday to get out of their houses to anywhere that had heat.
Forecasters said 28 inches of snow accumulated as of Saturday in Buffalo. Last month, areas just south of the city saw a record 6 feet of snow from a single storm.
The latest storm knocked out the furnace in the Buffalo home of Brian LaPrade, who woke up Saturday morning to indoor temperatures dipping to below 50 degrees.
“This morning I had to go out and dig out the vents,” LaPrade said. “As it was, the snow was taller than my snow blower.”
Plows were on the roads, but large snow drifts, abandoned cars and downed power lines were slowing progress.
Western New York often sees dramatic lake-effect snow, which is caused by cool air picking up moisture from the warm water, then dumping it on the land. But even area residents found conditions to be dire on Christmas Eve.
Latricia Stroud said she and her two daughters, 1 and 12, were stranded without heat or power in their Buffalo house since Friday afternoon, with the snow too deep to leave.
“I have to go over a snowbank to get out,” Stroud told the AP. “There’s a warming center, I just need a ride to get there."
On Monday, New York State Police tweeted that the department is assisting in snow removal, but reminded the public that the Erie County driving ban is still in affect.
"Stay off the roads, unnecessary vehicles traveling hinder crews from rescue and rescue," the state police tweeted.
The severe weather in New York state also prompted President Joe Biden to reach out to Hochul to reassure her the state will have the resources necessary. Biden also said his prayers were with the victims’ families.
"I spoke with @GovKathyHochul to get an update on the extreme winter weather hitting New York. We stand ready to make sure they have the resources they need to get through this," the president said in a tweet.
"My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend. You are in my and Jill’s prayers."
