A winter storm in the US has resulted in the death of at least 62 people, at last count.
Officials reported on Tuesday that the death toll is at 28 and expected to rise in hard-hit Erie County in New York, which includes the city of Buffalo, despite the fact that weather conditions are forecasted to improve.
With an estimated 40+ inches of snowfall, US President Joe Biden has declared emergency federal support for New York State as search and rescue efforts continue in the area where, reportedly, 4,000 local residents remain without power.
Meantime, a driving ban has been put into place within the city of Buffalo while rescuers search parked vehicles for stranded residents and officials remove ice blockages from storm drains, in anticipation of possible issues following a quick-thaw of snow and ice.
This blizzard is being hailed as the ‘storm of the century’ by long-time residents, after topping the famous blizzard of ’77, that took the lives of 22 residents.
As search and rescue efforts continue, and authorities brace for the potential post-storm impact, four persons have been arrested for looting in the area.
Due to hazardous conditions, the Buffalo Niagra International Airport has been closed since Friday and is set to reopen this morning, curtailing travel plans to or from the region.
The effects on access and mobility have been felt nationwide with reports of a wave of flight cancellations causing thousands to remain stuck in airports across the country. In addition, the tally of weather-related deaths has come in from far-flung states such as Vermont, Wisconsin, Colorado, and even southern areas in Tenessee, Kansas, and Missouri.
Over the holiday weekend, more than 250,000 homes throughout the country reported experiencing blackouts with power being steadily restored as storm-ravaged areas work to regain normalcy.
Are we Dominicans in need of help? Yes. We are constantly in need of help especially after a devastating hurricane hits and roofs are blown away, and utility poles are down, etc. we usually get assistance from several countries including the USA 🇺🇸. About a week ago Upstate NY (Buffalo) was hit by a major snowstorm which left dozens of people dead and thousands were left without power and some were trapped inside their homes and vehicles. I haven’t seen any comments on this medium from the Dominican people sending their condolences to the victims family or to the people of NY. We say that Skeritt is heartless and shameless etc, etc. But the rest of Dominica is no different. We aren’t thankful, we don’t know how to show gratitude to those who have helped us over the years. No wonder we as Dominicans will only be given the crumbs which falls from the bountiful tables of others. When will we ever rise from our shame very bad manners? “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.”
My condolences to the family and friends of those killed in the snowstorm in Buffalo, New York and elsewhere. May you find comfort and strength from above, and through those precious memories of those whom you have lost. Peace.
Great peace Time -X . Other country may help the people not the government. Because Buffalo is part of New York State . they have thing in place to help the state of Buffalo . Dominica will never help because skerrit is in bed with every cummunist country on planet earth and the USA have them on their rader so he cannot, he is the screen and they have the remote so he have nothing to do with the US in public. He rather see Dominica in that bad light than to donate to the United States government on behalf of the dominican people . Buffalo population 276,807, people. His so call friends have their rader on dominica skerrit is not in control.