It’s the beginning of the end. The historic cold storm in the United States is beginning to fade but its impact continues to be felt in the Buffalo area. At least 59 people died as a result of heavy snow, freezing winds and a sharp drop in temperatures. Even in areas accustomed to harsh winters, the weather has taken its toll, to the point where rescue teams have sometimes found themselves stranded.
New York’s Erie County, home to the city of Buffalo near the Canadian border, alone accounts for 37 of the nation’s at least 59 storm-related deaths, according to a new report Wednesday. According to authorities, people died because they had no heat at home in the freezing cold. Others have been found dead in their cars or on the street. At Christmas, the cold was felt to varying degrees in most of the country, up to Texas and Florida, unaccustomed to such climatic conditions.
As temperatures rise, there is a risk of flooding
The latter improved on Wednesday, with temperatures rising. But “as temperatures rise, we expect snowmelt and possible flooding due to the rapid melt,” warned Mark Poloncarz, an Erie County official. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has told various local agencies to prepare for “potentially dangerous flooding.” Water pumps, generators and sandbags were ready for distribution, including for Erie County, according to a statement.
On Wednesday, the National Guard was going door-to-door in areas where electricity hadn’t yet been restored, to make sure residents were safe, Mark Poloncarz tweeted. The driving ban that remains in effect in Buffalo is expected to be lifted Thursday morning with most roads cleared, city Mayor Byron Brown told CNN Wednesday.
