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KEY POINTS
- The number of storm-related deaths could increase, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said
- There were a total of 12 deaths, ranging in age from 26 to 93, in Erie County
- Volunteer snowmobiles were dispatched to help the stranded motorists who were stuck in their cars
The deaths reported in western New York after a winter storm hit the area during the Christmas weekend rose to 17, officials confirmed Sunday night.
The number of storm-related fatalities could increase, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said during a Sunday press conference, the New York Post reported.
“We do believe based on reports we’re getting from the field we are going to get a number – hopefully not a significant number – but a number of additionally confirmed deaths in the next six hours because of bodies that have been found but have not yet been transported to hospitals for identification and confirmation of death,” Poloncarz said.
There were a total of 12 deaths, ranging in age from 26 to 93, in Erie County — including six in Buffalo, three in Amherst and three in Cheektowaga. Niagara County separately on Sunday reported one confirmed storm death.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia later confirmed four more deaths, bringing the Buffalo city total to 10, the Buffalo News reported.
Among the reported victims was a 27-year-old man who was found dead in neighboring Niagara County due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning from snow blocking his furnace, WGRZ reported.
Another victim was identified as William “Romello” Clay, who was found frozen to death on the street on his 56th birthday.
State police and the National Guard were called to help as Buffalo and the surrounding region attempted to dig out. According to Poloncarz, this was the first time the Buffalo fire department couldn’t respond to emergency calls “because it was so bad.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul referred to the occurrence as an “epic, once-in-a-lifetime storm” that hinders emergency services and even plow trucks from traveling.
The storm hit Buffalo with hurricane-force winds and snow, leading to whiteout conditions. According to officials, the storm stopped emergency response in its efforts to help and even resulted in the city’s airport’s closing through Monday.
The Buffalo Niagara International Airport had recorded 43 inches of cumulative snow as of 7 a.m. Sunday, but the paralyzed city on the lake was still not yet out of the woods, said Christopher Tate, associate weather producer, and meteorologist at Fox Weather. The airport was reportedly closed until 11 a.m. Monday.
“There is still a band of lake effect snow currently sitting south of Buffalo. If the wind shifts back … south just a little bit, that would push that band of lake effect snow north back into Buffalo. That is still possible,” Tate explained to The Post Sunday.
Poloncarz announced Sunday a driving ban in Erie County that will remain in effect until at least 7 a.m. Monday.
“This has just been the worst kind of storm you can imagine,” he said, adding. “This is a storm we will never forget.”
The Army National Guard had a hard time navigating roads, News 4 Buffalo reported, citing a statement from Hochul. But as of Sunday morning, there were 200 servicemen on the ground. Another 200 are expected to join them by Monday.
“The cavalry has arrived,” Hochul said. “We are here to help.”
About 15,000 customers in the county still don’t have power and might not have any until Tuesday, Poloncarz said. Substations were also frozen and covered in mountains of snow, he continued.
Poloncarz said that he had already contacted President Joe Biden and Gov. Hochul about a federal disaster declaration.
