Death toll rises to 10 in killer snowstorm in New York’s Buffalo
BY Agencies22 Nov 2014 11:21 PM GMT
Agencies22 Nov 2014 11:21 PM GMT
The National Weather Service warned an extra two to three feet (60 to 90 centimeters) of ‘lake effect snow,’ created when frigid air moves over warm lake waters, could fall during the day. It said visibility was near zero and that thunder and lightning were likely to accompany the heaviest snow as a state of emergency and travel bans remained in place in western New York state.
The colossal snowfall has collapsed roofs, damaged homes and businesses, canceled flights and stranded motorists for as many as two nights on the highway, including New York rock group Interpol.
Precipitation roughly equivalent to a year’s supply of snow in two days has mobilized more than 5,000 people to help with snow removal and storm recovery, including the National Guard, officials said.
The death toll from ‘Winter Storm Knife’ rose to 10 when two people died of exposure in Niagara County and Boston town in Erie County, officials said.
Four or five others died earlier in the storm while working to clear mounds of heavy snow from their cars and homes, and the blizzard could yet prompt a federal disaster declaration.
The state of emergency is so severe that the National Football League announced that the game between the local Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets would not be played on Sunday in Buffalo.
The NFL said it would reschedule and relocate the game, ‘due to public safety concerns’ in the city.
The National Hockey League also said that Friday’s game between the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres in downtown Buffalo had been postponed and that a new date would be announced. ‘Very dangerous storm. One more day. Let’s get through this snow. People continue to be smart. Stay at home. Observe the driving bans,’ deputy Erie County executive said.
The colossal snowfall has collapsed roofs, damaged homes and businesses, canceled flights and stranded motorists for as many as two nights on the highway, including New York rock group Interpol.
Precipitation roughly equivalent to a year’s supply of snow in two days has mobilized more than 5,000 people to help with snow removal and storm recovery, including the National Guard, officials said.
The death toll from ‘Winter Storm Knife’ rose to 10 when two people died of exposure in Niagara County and Boston town in Erie County, officials said.
Four or five others died earlier in the storm while working to clear mounds of heavy snow from their cars and homes, and the blizzard could yet prompt a federal disaster declaration.
The state of emergency is so severe that the National Football League announced that the game between the local Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets would not be played on Sunday in Buffalo.
The NFL said it would reschedule and relocate the game, ‘due to public safety concerns’ in the city.
The National Hockey League also said that Friday’s game between the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres in downtown Buffalo had been postponed and that a new date would be announced. ‘Very dangerous storm. One more day. Let’s get through this snow. People continue to be smart. Stay at home. Observe the driving bans,’ deputy Erie County executive said.
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