The winter storm that slammed the U.S. amid the holidays appears to have hit Buffalo, New York, the worst. Out of the at least 50 people killed nationwide during the storm, it has been reported that 26 deaths occurred in Buffalo, and the toll is expected to continue to rise.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz called the blizzard "the worst storm probably in our lifetime and maybe in the history of the city." The Washington Post reports that this is Buffalo's worst blizzard in 50 years.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that emergency vehicles were unable to enter some of the worst-hit areas, and the vehicles that attempted to enter were stuck. Some victims were left stranded in their vehicles after getting caught in the winter storm.
It has also been reported that several businesses were looted in the Buffalo area. New York State Police Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli addressed two incidents during a press conference.
"We have had two confirmed reports of looting incidents where law enforcement has been dispatched and responded. Those are still under investigation as we speak. Those are isolated incidents, and it's not reflective of the great community of Western New York, and I'm sure that they'll be limited to those two incidents or at least that's our hope."
