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Death toll from Buffalo's 'deadliest storm' in 50 years has risen to 27

At least 57  have died in a "once in a lifetime" snowstorm, including 27 in western New York's Buffalo

BUFFALO, NEWYORK: At least 57 people have died in a "once in a lifetime" snowstorm, including 27 in western New York's Buffalo, authorities announced on Monday. According to County Executive Mark Poloncarz, the number of fatalities from the enormous storm was predicted to rise as snow continued to cover Erie County, making roads in many parts unusable, including most of Buffalo.

The blizzard in Buffalo is now reportedly the deadliest storm to affect the western part of the state in at least 50 years with six feet of 'lake effect' snow and about 12000 hours left without power. Moreover, Poloncarz shared in a press conference that shelters and nursing homes are now starting to run out of food in Erie County, Daily Mail reported.

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"Very sadly, the @ECDOH Medical Examiner has confirmed another 2 deaths from the Blizzard. Total deaths are now 27. Of these: - 3 were from an EMS Delay; - 14 were found outside; - 3 were from shoveling/blowing cardiac events; - 4 were from no heat; & - 3 were in a vehicle," Mark Poloncarz shared in an update.

At a news conference on Christmas Day, New York Governor Hochul referred to the snowstorm as "the most damaging storm in Buffalo's long, storied history" of terrifying storms. More than 55 million people are currently under weather advisories. "It is catastrophic. It will be in a war zone", Hochul declared on Sunday. "I am heartbroken by the loss of life from this storm. Like all New Yorkers, Bill and I are keeping those we've lost — and all their loved ones — in our hearts and in our prayers,", Hochul added in a Tweet. According to Poloncarz, the executive of Erie County, some of the deceased in Buffalo were discovered inside their automobiles, while others were discovered on the street in snowbanks. 

As of Monday morning, an NBC News count showed that the storm, which spanned from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande near the Mexican border, had claimed the lives of at least 57 individuals. Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin were the 12 states where most of the deaths were reported as per the outlet. "There may be more," Poloncarz said. "I don't want to say this is going to be it, because that would be a fallacy for me to say that. Because we know there are people stuck in cars for more than two days. And there are people in homes that are below freezing temperatures," Poloncarz said as per a report.

Kathy Hochul said Monday afternoon, calling the blizzard "one in the ages", "Just got off the phone with @POTUS, who promised to swiftly approve my request for a federal emergency disaster declaration. We are extremely grateful to have the federal government's support as we help Western New York recover from this historic blizzard." From east of the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, temperatures have dropped well below average. According to the monitoring website FlightAware, 3,699 flights had been canceled and at least 6,438 had been delayed by early Monday, stranding vacationers in airports around the nation.

National Weather Service said, "hazardous travel conditions" are anticipated to persist over the coming days before gradually improving over the course of the coming year. “Much of the eastern U.S. will remain in a deep freeze through Monday before a moderating trend sets in on Tuesday,” it said in a 2:56 a.m. bulletin. “The life-threatening cold temperatures and in combination with dangerous wind chills will create a potentially life-threatening hazard for travelers that become stranded, individuals that work outside, livestock and domestic pets,” the National Weather Service said.