Two new deaths were recorded in connection with the storm that shook much of the United States around Christmas, bringing the number of those historic blizzards to at least 61 deaths, authorities said Thursday. Both deaths occurred in Erie County, New York, where the city of Buffalo is located. At least 39 people have died there and the number is likely to continue to rise, County Official Mark Poloncarz said at a news conference. Among them, four were found in cars, 11 in houses and 17 outside, he said.
The authorities criticized their crisis management
With temperatures soaring, authorities feared rapid snowmelt could cause flooding. “Fortunately, it looks like the flooding will be minimal. There’s a lot of potential for flooding, but it seems it won’t be serious,” said Mark Poloncarz. Power has finally been restored to everyone in the county, he added.
The cold was felt to varying degrees across much of the country as far away as Texas and Florida, states unaccustomed to such weather conditions. The storm also caused major disruption at airports with thousands of flight cancellations.
And the Buffalo area, accustomed to severe winters, was hit hard by the storm. Heavy snowfall, freezing wind, sudden drop in temperature, etc. The bad weather wreaked havoc, leaving the rescue teams stranded themselves. Municipalities now have to react to critics who question their crisis management.