Nearly 50 Americans died and thousands more were still waiting to be rescued Monday after the “most devastating” storm in Buffalo, New York’s history hit.
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“We know there are people stuck in cars for more than two days. There are also people in their homes below freezing,” said Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Executive, which includes the city of Buffalo.
At least 27 residents of this area lost their lives, near their cars or at home, without electricity, after what was dubbed by some the “blizzard of the century”. The toll should continue to increase, according to municipal authorities.
Photo: AFP
This drone photo shows the city of Buffalo completely covered in snow. In the area, at least 27 people lost their lives.
At least three victims suffered cardiac arrest while shoveling, while another died trapped in his vehicle. Others died due to a delayed response from emergency medical services, Poloncarz said.
A father who was celebrating his 56e birthday on New Years Eve, William Clay, is one of the victims who has been identified. Videos of his body buried in snow were circulating on social media on Monday.
An autopsy of his remains is expected to take place in the coming days to determine the exact cause of death.
Photo: AFP
Members of the New York State National Guard helped this vehicle out of a snowdrift.
Calls for help
There are many calls for help from the Buffalo community on social networks.
Families left without heating fear they will die, others beg neighbors to break down a loved one’s door to check on their state of health.
Trapped in the snow and without power for more than three days, many Buffalo residents are left to fend for themselves as bad weather conditions prevent emergency responders from rescuing them.
Photo: AFP
Snowmobile first responders check parked vehicles to make sure there is no one inside.
” Help us ! I have three babies who will not be able to survive another night in the cold, I am ready to pay any price”, implored Mykala McDowell, at Christmas.
The mother of the family launched several calls for help on Facebook while she was stuck in her house without heating with her three children, 3 months, 1 year and 3 years old.
It wasn’t until two days later that they were finally rescued by a family friend, frozen and scared to death.
deja vu
The deadly storm that upended the Christmas plans of millions of families across the United States and Canada has brought back bad memories for Buffalo residents.
“The storm is even worse than the blizzard that paralyzed the city in 1977,” Poloncarz said.
At the time, more than 30 cm of snow had covered this part of New York State, causing around 30 deaths.
Today, Buffalo residents seem to be reliving the same nightmare, with a heavier toll this time.
Photo: AFP
People have literally abandoned their cars due to bad weather, right in the middle of downtown Buffalo.
“This is clearly the blizzard of the century,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul reiterated on Monday.
She also clarified that it is “far too early to say that it is over”, adding that up to 30 cm of snow should still fall by Tuesday afternoon.
Remember that last November, nearly 2 meters of snow fell in the area, but this storm had much less impact.
Photo: AFP
This car is covered in snow and ice after being left by its owner on the side of a road in West Seneca, bordering Buffalo.
Paralyzed roads
On Monday, the city of Buffalo was still paralyzed by the blizzard. Cars were blocked across the road because of the impressive amounts of snowfall.
“Unless you are part of the emergency services, do not drive. The conditions are bad,” said Marck Poloncarz.
A travel ban was still in effect Monday in western Erie County, but it was defied by some residents.
– With AFP