By Leena Sen
While we enjoyed four back-to-back snow days here in Williamsville, South Buffalo faced the worst of the storm, while some areas of Buffalo got up to 88 inches of snow. Such records are comparable to those of the Blizzard of 1977, which hit upstate New York and Southern Ontario, delivering 100 inches of snow in some areas, resulting in 23 storm-related deaths in western New York and 5 others in northern New York. This year, the unexpected snow lead to many roofs caving in from the weight of what could equal several cars, cars being buried in the snow and vehicles being stuck in traffic for over 24 hours at a time. A driving ban was eventually put in place, and many of South Buffalo’s residents were trapped in homes where their cars were buried in the snow, their houses not far from the same destiny. The wind causing snow to blow lead to the closing of 132 miles of the New York State Thruway, the main highway across the state.
As a result of the storm, at least 13 people have died, some due to cardiac complications. Cheektowaga police department said that a 30 year old man from Pennsylvania died in Cheektowaga when a high lift attempting to free a vehicle stuck in the snow accidentally lurched, pinning the man to his car, killing him. Another man in his 60s died while using his snowblower. Many who have heart disease or high blood pressure have been advised against cleaning off their snow as it could put them at immediate risk for a heart attack or cardiac issues.
The commotion of the storm lead to Governor Cuomo’s issuing of a state of emergency for 10 counties (including Erie County). This mobilized over 1,000 personnel in the business of snow plows, snow blowers and large loaders to clean up the roads and assist in the cleanup of the storm. Also, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Long Island and the Connecticut DOT sent in help.
Of the people trapped in the midst of Lake Erie’s wrath, Niagara University’s Women’s Basketball team was stuck on Tuesday in their bus for over 24 hours, and eventually (safely) returned to their campus on Wednesday. Of course, many others were trapped in their cars, and the Lake Effect warning for snow continued until Friday at 12 noon.
