Winter Storm Kills Over 40 In US

 

Winter storm has reportedly killed over 40 persons in the United States in recent days.

Gatekeepers News reports that the most recent fatalities from the winter storm have been recorded in Buffalo city in New York, where up to 25 persons were reported dead on Monday — up from 13 over the weekend.

The BBC reports that New York state governor, Kathy Hochul described the situation as “life-threatening”, adding that it “is (like) going to a war zone.

“This is a war with mother nature and she has been hitting us with everything she has.”

In a post on the Governor’s social media handles on Monday, Hochul asked residents to follow local guidance and stay off the roads as it is not safe to drive in many parts of western New York.

She added that the “New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Thruway Authority, county and city snowplow crews are working around the clock to clear roads.”

Hochul also said President Joe Biden has promised to approve a request for a federal emergency disaster declaration.

She added, “We are extremely grateful to have the federal government’s support as we help Western New York recover from this historic blizzard.”

The BBC reported that almost 50 people died, as the blizzard stretched from Canada to as far south as the Rio Grande.

Many emergency vehicles are said to have been unable to reach worst-hit areas or got stuck in snow themselves.

Reports further revealed that the wind chill has driven temperatures to minus 40 degrees in some parts of the western US and this has made the Christmas period one of the coldest in modern history.

The situation has led to power outages and also disrupted travel schedules as more than 3,000 flights were cancelled in the US between Saturday and Monday.

According to CNN, parts of western New York remain buried by up to 43 inches of snow, leaving vehicles stuck.

Erie County Executive, Mark Poloncarz said a total of 27 deaths have been recorded in the area as of Monday.

Poloncarz wrote in a post on his social media page, “Very sadly, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) Medical Examiner has confirmed another 2 deaths from the Blizzard. Total deaths are now 27. Of these deaths: 3 were from an EMS Delay; 14 were found outside; 3 were from shoveling/blowing cardiac events; 4 were from no heat, and 3 were in a vehicle.”

However, US authorities promised that the situation will be brought under control in the coming days.