By Sam Shapiro
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WENY) — Blizzard-like conditions that hit Buffalo starting Friday left more than 25 people dead and thousands still without power. On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul made it to her hometown of Buffalo and met with local leaders to share information about ongoing cleanup.
“We have been through a lot of wars together, and this blizzard is one for the ages. Certainly, it is the blizzard of the century,” Hochul said.
First Responders and New York’s Department of Transportation worked around the clock all Christmas weekend to clear the roads and search for anyone trapped due to the life-threatening conditions. On Monday, Hochul announced additional support is on the way in the form of roughly 200 additional members of the New York National Guard, as Erie County and New York State remain under a state of emergency.
“Over 400 more (are) on the way, and we’re going to continue having them involved in our missions,” Hochul said, adding, “Search and rescue plowing, traffic enforcement, bringing food and water to our warming shelters and first responders, as well as medical transport to get people where they need to go.”
Hochul says despite the cleanup efforts, the winter storm is still not over. Western New Yorkers, in particular, need to brace for even more snow, with up to another foot expected.
“(Although) we can see the skies here right now; we know the storm is coming back,” Hochul said, adding, “We’re expecting another six to twelve inches, and in the south towns, (the) southern part of Erie County had 30 to 40 inches of snow overnight.”
On Monday, Governor Hochul submitted a request for a federal emergency declaration. She spoke on the phone with President Joe Biden, who offered the support of the Federal Government as New York State continues to deal with the impacts of the historic winter storm.
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