The death toll from the winter storm that hit the United States during the Christmas holidays continues to rise.
Foreign media such as Reuters reported on the 26th (local time) that the number of deaths in Erie County, including Buffalo in northwest New York, which suffered the most from heavy snow, rose from 13 to 25 in a day. At least 27 people were reported dead in the surrounding area. NBC News reported that at least 55 people were killed in a winter storm accompanied by heavy snow, freezing temperatures and high winds across the United States.
Buffalo has experienced the worst snow in 45 years since the 1977 blizzard that killed more than 30 people. New York Gov. Cathy Hocal said she asked the White House to declare a federal disaster area, calling it a “huge once-in-a-lifetime storm.” In response, the White House said that US President Joe Biden spoke with Governor Hokkul the same day and said he would take any necessary federal steps towards disaster recovery. President Biden also made a separate post on Twitter, saying, “My heart goes out to everyone who lost loved ones this holiday season” and “Jill and I are praying for you.”
Snowdrifts of up to 2 meters have accumulated in the Buffalo area and belatedly discovered bodies in cars and other vehicles stuck in the snow. Also, as ambulances, fire engines, and police cars were dispatched after receiving a distress call, an emergency situation arose where rescuers called for distress because their feet were tied up in snow. State disaster authorities carried out nearly 500 rescue operations in three days of heavy snow, but due to a lack of equipment, they asked residents to borrow snowmobiles.
The New York Times (NYT) reported that in such a situation where it was difficult to help even the first responders, the residents reached out to each other and overcame the difficulties. In a Facebook group, when a post was made that read, “Please help my 17-year-old son who is trapped at home alone,” a resident with a snowmobile posted a comment saying, “I’m going.” Chris Giardina (43), a tow truck driver who was due to take the day off the day before Christmas, came to the hospital to get her husband’s insulin and received an urgent call from a woman whose car was stuck in a snowdrift. Buffalo resident Leon Horace Miller, 52, who runs a landscaping and snow removal business, rescued 14 people from snowdrifts the previous day afternoon while working during the holiday season.
Health care providers such as doctors and nurses have also posted their location and phone number online for nearby residents in need of help, the NYT reported. Some restaurants have taken on the role of shelters, providing shelter for motorists and passers-by stranded on the road. The restaurant in a small town near Buffalo hosted 115 people and four dogs for two days.
