Funviralpark Dec 25 (Reuters) – A deadly snowstorm hits Buffalo, New York, on Christmas Day, trapping people in cars, causing power outages and increasing the death toll from the severe winter storm system that has swept the United States. rice field.
Twenty-eight people have died in weather-related incidents across the country so far, according to NBC News’ tally.CNN reported a total of 26 fatalities.
Erie County Commissioner Mark Polonkers said the death toll from the storm rose from three to seven overnight in western New York’s Buffalo area. In total, Sunday’s snow left him with nearly 4 feet (1.2 meters) of buildup.
Of the four people reported dead on Sunday morning, some were found in their cars and some were found in a snowman, Poloncarz said, adding that the death toll could still rise. rice field.
“This is not the Christmas that any of us wanted or expected, but please try to have the best Christmas possible today,” Polonkers said on Twitter on Sunday. My sincere condolences to you.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters that she has been in contact with the White House and that the Biden administration supports the state government’s request for a disaster declaration.
“This will go down in history as Buffalo’s most devastating storm. It’s been going on for years and we’re still in the middle of it.
A powerful winter storm that brought frigid temperatures from the northern Great Plains to the U.S.-Mexico border powered millions of people late last week, after causing flight cancellations during a busy holiday travel period. We moved east on Sunday.
PowerOutage.us said more than 200,000 homes and businesses on the US East Coast, Texas and Washington lost power on Sunday, down sharply from the 1.8 million that were without power earlier Saturday. In Buffalo, 16% of his residents had no electricity on Sunday, officials said.
More than 1,500 flights were canceled in the US as of noon Sunday as the weather further disrupted holiday travel, according to flight tracker FlightAware.
NWS meteorologist Rich Otto said Christmas morning temperatures were still well below normal in the central and eastern United States, and even below freezing as far as the Gulf Coast.
In South Florida, an iguana fell from a tree and was paralyzed as temperatures plummeted to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), according to residents’ reports and images posted on Twitter.
deadly car move
In Erie County, about 500 motorists were stranded Friday night through Saturday morning and the National Guard was called out to rescue them, Poloncarz said.
A countywide driving ban was also in effect on Sunday.
Buffalo Airport recorded 43 inches (109 cm) of snow as of 7 a.m. ET (1200 GMT) on Sunday, Otto said.
“In the Buffalo area, we generally expect another foot or two by Monday morning,” Otto said. We’re still getting a lot of snow.”
Kentucky officials have confirmed that there have been at least three storm-related deaths in the state. Meanwhile, at least four people were killed and several injured in car-related accidents in Ohio. A blizzard near Toledo on Friday.
Reporting by Gabriella Borter, Lucia Mutikani, Rick Cowan, Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Ross Colvin and Diane Craft
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