More than three dozen people are now confirmed dead in Erie County and Buffalo as a result of the Christmas Blizzard. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz confirmed on Twitter Wednesday night that three more victims had been found, bringing the total to 37.
Some of the victims were found frozen in snow by plows clearing streets. Some died in homes with no heat, unable to get out. Some died shoveling snow or because emergency services couldn’t get to them through the blocked streets. More than four feet of snow fell on parts of the Buffalo area in the blizzard. Two other deaths have been reported in Niagara and other Western New York counties. Nationwide, the death toll is more than 60.
Buffalo’s airport reopened Wednesday and crews with more than 450 pieces of heavy equipment succeeded in opening at least one lane through on every major road in Buffalo.
(NYSDOT photo)