Plunging temperatures have left wells and homes frozen over as forecasters warn of “life-threatening” cold levels on Christmas Day.
The National Weather Service has warned that some outdoor areas could experience “frostbite within minutes”.
At least 32 people have died across the country from the deadly winter storms as Buffalo paramedics struggle to reach thousands snowed in at Christmas.
Deaths were recorded in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and New York, with four people dying in a three-vehicle crash on an Ohio freeway on Saturday.
The Hoaks restaurant on the shore of Lake Erie in Hamburg is completely covered in ice after being hit by the lake’s icy spray
Millions of people huddled against a deep freeze on Sunday morning to weather the frigid storm
Snow covers a neighborhood in Buffalo, New York, as the blizzards stopped for a few minutes
Martin Haslinger clears snow in front of his home in Buffalo on Sunday. Four people were found dead in snow banks and their cars
The aftermath of the bomb cyclone has caused snowstorms in almost every state in the USA – millions of people in New York City have been urged to save energy.
Seven people have died in Buffalo, four were found frozen in their cars or on snow banks by emergency services on Christmas Day.
Two people also suffered medical emergencies at their homes but could not be rescued as rescue workers were unable to reach them due to the weather.
ConEdison has urged its four million customers to conserve energy “until further notice” due to the cold weather that has led to increased demand for gas pipelines.
They warned that the call to turn down the heating would affect 1.1 million natural gas customers and 3.5 million electricity customers.
Western New York has seen winds of up to 70 miles per hour, with snowstorm warnings in Niagara, Orleans, Erie and Genesee counties through 7 a.m. Sunday.
A snowdrift almost touches the bottom of two swings in the backyard of a Buffalo mansion
Homes in Tonawanda, Erie County, were completely buried by up to two meters of snow as residents grappled with a power outage
Brave residents of western New York tried to fight the snow this Christmas – when thousands were snowed on their properties
Rescue workers in Buffalo rescued at least 50 people – including a small child – between Friday and Saturday
Ice decorates a fountain in Charleston, South Carolina, and temperatures drop to 0 °C (32 °F).
Rescue workers in Buffalo rescued at least 50 people – including a small child – between Friday and Saturday.
Chief Brian Britzzalaro of the Erie County Sheriff’s Department said, “I saw the blizzard of ’77. That’s worse.”
Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties have winter storm warnings through Monday, with heavy snowfall, lakefront flooding and whiteout conditions causing life-threatening conditions.
Buffalo Airport has seen cancellations that have left many people stranded and some even frozen in their homes as the blistering winter lashes the city.
Lake Erie has seen mass flooding, and a restaurant became an ice palace after sea spray from the shore hit the entire building.
A rare freeze spray warning was issued for Erie and Chautauqua counties through 4 p.m. Sunday, with the lake rarely bringing freeze spray to those on the coast
Buffalo Airport has seen cancellations that have left many people stranded and some even frozen in their homes as the blistering winter lashes the city
Residents have been urged to stay off the roads, with a driving ban to protect locals and executives warned that the “best place to be is safely at home”.
More than 25,000 customers in Erie County were without power as of 4 p.m. Saturday and more are expected to be affected as extreme weather continues to ravage the country.
Local residents have been urged to stay off the roads, with a driving ban imposed to protect residents, and executives warned that the “best place to be is safely at home”.
A rare freeze spray warning was issued for Erie and Chautauqua counties through 4 p.m. Sunday, with the lake rarely bringing freeze spray to those on the coast.
The National Weather Service said: “In some areas, being outdoors can cause frostbite within minutes.
Rescue workers in Buffalo rescued at least 50 people – including a small child – between Friday and Saturday. Chief Brian Britzzalaro of the Erie County Sheriff’s Department said, “I saw the blizzard of ’77. That’s worse’
Ice formed by spray from Lake Erie’s waves covers a sidewalk during a winter storm in Irving, New York
The American Medical Response of Western New York has also suffered from stolen emergency vehicles after getting stuck in the snow
“If you must travel or be out in the elements, prepare for the extreme cold by dressing in layers, covering as much exposed skin as possible, and packing winter safety kits in your vehicles.”
Homes in Tonawanda, Erie County, were completely buried by up to two meters of snow as residents grappled with a power outage.
Two Gulf domes in Buffalo City were destroyed, with the raging storm causing them to collapse.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday nearly every fire truck in the city was stranded in snow as she urged residents to “bundle up, stay indoors and stay safe” this weekend.
National Grid, which serves customers in New York and Massachusetts, is urging its customers in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island to reduce natural gas use through Sunday afternoon – affecting 1.9 million customers.
New York International Airport has been closed and tens of thousands of flights have been canceled over the past week because of the snow bomb.
New Yorkers and tourists are faced with a fierce 11 degree cold – many are pooling
Plows work to clear ice and snow along the shore of Lake Erie during the Christmas holiday
Thousands of people in Seattle were stuck on planes for hours amid snowstorm conditions, with at least 3,000 flights already canceled as of Christmas Day.
In Seattle, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were left without power while millions were on the verge of the possibility of blackouts.
The American Medical Response of Western New York has also suffered from stolen emergency vehicles after getting stuck in the snow.
A Chevy Tahoe with AMR plates was stuck in the snow less than a mile from the organization’s office.
Authorities sent a loader to dig up the vehicle, but when they arrived it had been stolen – and officials warned the public not to approach the vehicle if it was spotted.
In Seattle, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were left without power while millions were on the verge of the possibility of blackouts
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday nearly every fire truck in the city was stranded in snow as she urged residents to “bundle up, stay indoors and stay safe” this weekend.
Two Gulf domes in Buffalo City were destroyed, with the raging storm causing them to collapse
West Seneca police warned people to stay indoors as they released footage of a Wegmans store’s parking lot – showing the blistering snow lashing the car.
Officers were unable to see through their car’s windshield as the storm gathered around them, meaning visibility was nearly impossible.
The storm has swept from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande on the Mexican border – with thousands of canceled flights and chaos in the air.
Motorists in Idaho have been urged to exercise “extreme caution” if forced onto roads during freezing rain warnings.
Jackson, Mississippi’s water system, which partially collapsed in late August, faced “fluctuating” pressure in cold temperatures on Saturday, affecting residents.