As a monstrous winter storm continues to pummel North America, at least 28 people have died in western New York, with the majority in Buffalo.
A state official stated that some people were stranded in their vehicles for more than two days amid “possibly” the worst storm of their lives.
Meteorologists predict that up to nine additional inches (23cm) of snow may fall in portions of the state on Tuesday.
The storm, which stretched from Canada to Mexico, killed a total of 56 people.
The US President, Joe Biden, authorized an emergency declaration allowing New York State to receive federal aid. He wrote, “My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend.
New Jersey, a neighboring state, also dispatched emergency services to New York to provide additional aid.
Buffalo-born Governor Kathy Hochul referred to the storm as “the snowstorm of the century.”
“It is comparable to entering a battle zone, and the automobiles lining the roadways are scary.”
She said that many emergency vehicles were unable to reach the worst-affected areas or became stranded in the snow.
Two to six-year-old youngsters from a local family had to wait 11 hours before being rescued early on Christmas morning (Sunday).
The father, Zila Santiago, told CBS News, “I was essential without hope.” He stated that he was able to stay warm by keeping the engine running and that he fought off anxiety by playing games with the kids.
Ditjak Ilunga from Gaithersburg, Maryland, told CBS News that he and his children were on their way to see family in Hamilton, Ontario when their SUV became stuck in Buffalo.
After hours of driving with the motor running, he decided to brave the raging storm to reach a neighboring refuge.
He carried Destiny, age six, on his back while Cindy, age sixteen, held their Pomeranian puppy and followed his footprints through the snowdrifts.
“If I stay in this car, I will die here with my children,” Mr. Ilunga remembered thinking.
He stated that he cried as the family entered the refuge. He stated, “I will never forget this in my life.”
Meanwhile, the unnamed owner of a small family-run business in East Buffalo said that thieves broke into his basic store on Christmas Day.
“They acquired everything. People stole electronics, toys, and speakers “he alleged.
He calculated that equipment worth up to $50,000 (£41,000) was stolen. He stated that he contacted the police, but they were too busy saving the elderly.
Mark Poloncarz, the executive for the county in which Buffalo is located, Erie County, stated, “We can sort of see the light at the end of the tunnel, but this is not yet the end.”
He continued, “It’s a generational storm.”
Mr. Poloncarz, citing the office of the county medical examiner, stated that several of the deceased died of heart problems while shoveling or blowing snow. Some were discovered deceased in their cars.
The discovery of other victims is anticipated after melting snowdrifts reveal stuck automobiles and allow access to inaccessible dwellings.
The “bomb cyclone” winter storm, which happens when air pressure drops, has hampered travel throughout the United States.
Monday saw the cancellation of nearly 4,000 flights in the United States, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.
In the next few days, poor weather is expected to improve, although it is still advised to avoid travel.
The power has been gradually restored to an estimated 250,000 households and businesses that experienced blackouts over the weekend.
Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Colorado have also recorded storm-related fatalities. The temperature plummeted so low in South Florida that iguanas froze and fell from trees.
Montana in the western United States was the hardest struck by the cold, with temperatures reaching -50F. (-45C).
The provinces of Ontario and Quebec in the northeast suffered the worst of the storm in Canada.
Prince Edward County, located around Lake Ontario in Ontario, declared a state of emergency and had to remove snowplows from the roads because they were at risk of getting trapped, according to Mayor Steve Ferguson of CBC News.
In the western Canadian province of British Columbia, a bus overturned on an ice road near the town of Merritt, resulting in four fatalities.
