A mother of two described the terrifying moment her family was stranded in Target during the Buffalo snowstorm after her car got stuck in the snow.
Jessica Sypniewski, 33, of Buffalo, New York, left home with her two children, ages seven and 11, to pick up her family across town during the century storm that devastated the city, not believing that it would end up with them spending the night at the department store.
In an interview with Today, Jessica explained how the snowstorm terrified her family and banged on Target’s doors, desperate for help before “lifeguards” rescued them.
Jessica Sypniewski shared the horrific moment her family was stranded in Target during the Buffalo snowstorm after their car got stuck in the snow (Jessica’s kids, ages seven and 11, pictured).
The 33-year-old from Buffalo left home with her two children during the blizzard to pick up their family when they were stranded at the mall
In a post shared on Facebook, Jessica detailed the family’s distressing ordeal, adding that 22 people were stuck in Target alongside her family
“We were picking up my friend’s sister and her boyfriend, on the way home we happened to be stranded in Target square,” Jessica said.
All six were stranded in their car next to the store before heading inside.
“We were afraid of snow drifts, so we went to the grocery store because they were still open. But they didn’t let us stay there,” she explained.
The family was forced to return to their car, but after about 40 minutes they couldn’t stand the cold anymore and had to seek shelter.
“I saw a number of cars with their four-way turn signals in front of Target. I banged on the[store’s]door and they let us in,” the mother-of-two said today.
As soon as Jessica and her family entered the department store, they noted an “overwhelming” sense of mixed emotions, but were grateful they could find shelter from the snowstorm.
“I was holding my son and one of the staff came up to me and threw a blanket over me,” she said.
Jessica explained that they weren’t the only ones stuck at Target and they all took seats next to heaters, adding that the staff made sure everyone was comfortable.
The stranded group was treated to Starbucks hot cocoa. There were 22 people staying the night at Target along with Jessica’s family.
As soon as Jessica and her family entered the department store, they noted an “overwhelming” sense of mixed emotions
She said: “I was holding my son and one of the staff came up to me and threw a blanket at me.”
Jessica explained that the staff made all the stranded feel very welcome and even made them hot cocoa
While other members of Jessica’s family offered to pick her up, the mother was horrified, knowing she and her children had no chance of walking to the main streets
And while other members of Jessica’s family offered to pick her up, the mother was scared, knowing she and her children had no chance of going to the main streets.
“People were dying in their cars and that was my worst fear. When the snowdrifts come down on us, a million things went through my mind back then,” she told Today.
On Christmas Eve, Target employees laid a path to Main Street and a friend was able to pick up Jessica and her family.
In a now-viral post shared to Facebook over the weekend, Jessica spoke about the family’s nagging ordeal alongside plenty of photos from their sleepover at Target.
She captioned the post: “We’ve been stranded at Target on Walden since 12pm yesterday, I’ve never felt so scared in my life but we’re safe and warm!!
‘I can’t say enough about the Target staff who opened their doors to us and provided everything we needed, you guys are literally lifesavers!!
‘We fixed the damn situation!’
Target Executive Vice President and Chief Stores Officer Mark Schindele told Today that the actions of employees exemplify the values of the store.
On Christmas Eve, Target employees laid a path to Main Street and a friend was able to pick up Jessica and her family
Dubbed the blizzard of the century, the storm has ravaged the East Coast and Midwest with freezing temperatures, several feet of snow and flooding
The storm has affected more than 200 million people across the country
“Usually when we refer to ‘Tarzhay’ magic, we’re talking about the kind of products that our guests only find at Target and just can’t live without.
“On Christmas Eve, that phrase took on a whole new meaning. Thanks to the compassion and quick thinking of the team members at our Walden Galleria store, they were able to offer shelter to those stranded and also offer them care, comfort and holiday cheer.
‘Your actions are a living example of Target’s values and we are grateful that we were able to help those in need.’
Jessica explained that she will never forget how kind and welcoming the store staff were to her family.
She says she will never forget the kindness shown to her family.
“I know people think we’re used to this kind of weather and we are, but not to this extent. Without Target, I don’t know where we would be. We didn’t have a next step,” she added.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said nearly every fire truck in Buffalo was stranded in the snow
Cars have been buried under several feet of snow and people have reported being stranded on freeways and unable to get help
A public ad has asked anyone with a snowmobile to come forward to help emergency services in Erie County, New York
Dubbed the blizzard of the century, the storm has ravaged the East Coast and Midwest with freezing temperatures, several feet of snow and flooding.
More than 200 million people across the country were affected by the storm, and many families asked for help as many died after being trapped in their cars, which were covered by several feet of snow.
The National Guard was deployed to help with the rescue effort after the emergency services were overwhelmed.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said every fire engine in Buffalo was stranded in the snow, adding that an estimated 500 cars were estimated to be stuck.
The New York state governor said the aftermath of the storm resembled a “war zone.”
Buffalo hasn’t experienced a storm this deadly since 1950, making the combination of heavy snow, winds and freezing temperatures the deadliest in over 70 years.