US winter storm traps people in cars in New York State

 

As a massive winter storm continues to hit North America, at least 28 people have perished in western New York State, the most of them in Buffalo.

A state official claimed that during what was "possibly" the worst storm of their lifetime, several people had been stranded in their vehicles for more than two days.

Through Tuesday, up to nine additional inches (23 cm) of snow are predicted in some areas of the state, according to meteorologists.

56 people were killed in the storm that spanned from Canada to the Mexican border.

An emergency declaration permitting federal assistance for New York State was approved by US President Joe Biden. His tweet read, "My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend."

We can sort of see the light at the end of the tunnel, but this is not the end yet, according to Mark Poloncarz, the executive for Erie County, where Buffalo is located.

He said that the storm was "a generational storm" and cautioned that the county has yet to start determining the "whole toll."

Many of the deceased, according to Mr. Poloncarz, died from heart problems while shoveling or blowing snow, citing the local medical examiner's office. Some of the dead were discovered inside their cars.

Buffalo-native and state governor Kathy Hochul previously said: "It's like entering a battle zone, and the cars parked along the sides of the roadways are startling."

She continued by saying that many emergency vehicles either couldn't get to the worst-affected areas or were stranded in the snow themselves.

To avoid the winter, they moved south. Still, the storm located them.

How to keep secure during a blizzard

One local family with young children had to wait 11 hours before being rescued in the early hours of Christmas Day. The youngsters ranged in age from two to six (Sunday).

Zila Santiago, the father, told CBS News, "I was really just hopeless." He claimed that by keeping the engine running, he was able to stay warm, and that playing games with the kids helped to ease their anxiety.

Once melting snowdrifts disclose stuck vehicles and open up remote dwellings, more victims should be found.

Travel across the US has been hampered by the "bomb cyclone" winter storm, which happens when atmospheric pressure drops and produces strong winds and heavy snowfall.

Forecasters predict that it will abate over the coming days, but they still advise against traveling unless absolutely necessary.