Firetrucks stranded, airport closed, two fatalities: harrowing details emerge from storm in Buffalo

Buffalo, N.Y. — In a news conference on Christmas Eve, Governor Kathy Hochul shared harrowing details about the storm pummeling Buffalo over the weekend.

Around 11:00 a.m., Hochul announced that two people in the Buffalo area have died as a result of the extreme weather conditions.

The storm — which hit the region on Friday — dropped over two feet of snow in less than 24 hours in Buffalo, according to the National Weather Service. That broke the record for Dec. 23 and marks the fourth snowiest day in Buffalo’s recorded history.

This inundation of snow has shut down roads and stranded emergency vehicles, Hochul said. Last night, Hochul deployed the national guard to Buffalo to aid ambulances that were struggling to respond to emergency calls, she said.

“No matter how many vehicles we have,” Hochul said. “They just can’t get through the conditions.”

Hochul also shared that every firetruck in the city of Buffalo is stranded in the snow. They were finally able to free around 14 ambulances that were stranded as well. Due to the high number of people trapped on roads, there are continuing search and rescue missions being conducted in the region.

Hochul did not share the specifics of the fatalities connected to the storm. The Buffalo News reported that the deaths were the result of first responders not being able to reach people during emergencies.

The whiteout conditions and large snow accumulation left hundred of others stranded, Hochul said.

She also announced that the buffalo airport will be shut down until Monday, and dozens of state and local roads will be closed until Christmas Day. The Thruway remains closed for 134 miles as of Saturday morning. It is shut down in both directions from Exit 46 (Rochester/Corning) to the Pennsylvania state line, according to The Thruway Authority.

Hochul said she sympathizes with the people who were not able to join their families for the holidays due to the storm but stressed it is more important to remain safe in these deadly conditions.

The bitter cold has also affected the entire state, Hochul said. Every part of New York is experiencing wind chill temperatures below zero. Warming centers have been opened across the state including counties that are experiencing large power outages, she said.

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