About 30 Americans died and thousands more were still waiting to be rescued after the “most devastating” storm in history hit Buffalo, New York yesterday.
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At least 27 Erie County, Buffalo residents were found dead near their cars or homes without power.
According to the city administration, the toll will continue to rise. “We know people get stuck in cars for more than two days. There are also people in their homes that are below freezing,” Mark Poloncarz, district director, said at a news conference.
At least three victims suffered cardiac arrest while shoveling, while another died locked in his vehicle. Others died due to a delayed response from the emergency services, Poloncarz said.
William Clay, a father who celebrated his 56th birthday on New Year’s Eve, is the only victim identified so far. Shortly after his disappearance, videos of his body buried in snow circulated on social media.
An autopsy on his body is scheduled to take place in the coming days to determine the exact cause of death.
calls for help
There are many calls for help from the Buffalo community on social media. Families left without heat fear they will die, others are asking neighbors to force down a loved one’s door to check their health.
Trapped in snow and without power for more than three days, many Buffalo residents are left to their own devices as poor weather conditions prevent emergency workers from rescuing them.
“Help us! I have three babies who can’t survive another night in the cold, I’m willing to pay any price,” Mykala McDowell implored at Christmas.
The mother of the family launched several calls for help on Facebook while stuck in her home with her three children aged 3 months, 1 year and 3 years without heat.
They were finally rescued two days later by a family friend, who froze to death and scared them to death.
Other cries from the heart were started on Facebook by Buffalo residents who have no news from loved ones.
“I need someone to go to my grandfather and aunt, they have been without light and electricity for three days… My God, help me!” asked Shynell Jamison.
Déjà-vu
The deadly storm that turned the Christmas plans of millions of families across the United States and Canada upside down has brought back bad memories for Buffalo residents.
“The storm is even worse than the blizzard that paralyzed the city in 1977,” Poloncarz said.
At that time, more than 30 cm of snow had covered this part of New York state, claiming around 30 lives. Today, Buffalo residents seem to be reliving the same nightmare, this time with a heavier toll.
“This is clearly the blizzard of the century,” New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul reiterated yesterday.
She also clarified that it was “way too early to say it’s over,” adding that up to 30cm of snow should still fall by this afternoon.
paralyzed streets
Yesterday Buffalo was still paralyzed by the storm. Because of the impressive amounts of snow, cars across the street were blocked.
“Don’t drive unless you’re part of the emergency services. Conditions are bad,” said Mark Poloncarz.
A travel ban was still in effect in western Erie County Monday, but some residents defied it, he said.
– With AFP