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Several vehicles left abandoned on icy roads as deadly 'blizzard of the century' wreaks havoc in Buffalo

Described as the worst blizzard in 100 years, the snowstorm has left many vehicles stranded, making the job of police and fire departments tedious

BUFFALO, NEW YORK: The snowy weather that caused mayhem across the United States over the Christmas weekend has claimed at least 51 lives across the country. Described as the worst blizzard in over 100 years, the snowstorm has left many vehicles stranded and abandoned, making the job of police and fire departments tedious and difficult in the chilly conditions.

According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and municipal authorities, the state with the highest number of fatalities is New York where 29 individuals have died following a significant lake effect blizzard. During a press conference, Hochul referred to the storm in western New York as "the blizzard of the century" and said the White House had pledged to swiftly approve an emergency disaster declaration. President Joe Biden reportedly spoke with Hochul on December 26, 2022. He has authorized the proclamation of a national emergency in the state. Mark Poloncarz, an executive of Erie County, announced that 27 of the fatalities in New York occurred in the region that encompasses Buffalo. Three people died after having heart attacks while shoveling or blowing snow, 14 people were discovered dead outside and three people died as a result of an EMS delay among others, the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed.

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"We do expect that there will be more," Poloncarz told ABC News. According to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, 18 bodies have been recovered in the city; the majority were discovered by police inside vehicles. In Erie County, a driving state of emergency is still in effect and according to Poloncarz, police will begin summoning those who drive around — or joyride — in violation of the driving restriction. He claimed that Buffalo is still impenetrable. More snowfall of 8 to 12 inches is predicted for the area, Poloncarz informed.

According to the National Weather Service, Buffalo got 43 inches of snow over the weekend. "There are cars everywhere pointing the wrong direction on roads. They've basically been plowed in and need to be dug out and towed," Poloncarz said. He also noted that other vehicles, including buses and tractor-trailer rigs, had been abandoned on county roads.

The governor claimed Buffalo had winds of around 80 mph due to the "colossal" snowstorm. "This will go down in history as the most devastating storm" in Buffalo, Hochul said during a Christmas morning news conference as reported by ABC News.

As per Poloncarz, the number of fatalities has surpassed that of the 1977 Blizzard. A travel ban was put into effect by Buffalo as blizzard conditions developed. "I cannot overstate how dangerous the conditions still are," Hochul said on December 25, urging people to stay off the roads on Christmas.

According to officials, the storm was the first time that the Buffalo Fire Department was unable to respond to any calls and the National Guard was contacted. Hochul stated that hundreds of individuals have been saved from automobiles but stressed that "we still have people who need to be rescued."