New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Tuesday for several counties in and around Buffalo, where a severe winter storm has already covered parts of the region in over three feet of snow.
The National Guard will be deployed to the affected communities to residents dig out, according a statement on the New York State governor’s website. Forecasters are predicting the snowy conditions could last through the week.
“This storm may persist until Friday morning with the potential for another two feet of snow,” Cuomo said in the statement. “New Yorkers in these areas should exercise extreme caution, and stay off the roads until conditions are clearer and safer.”
These Photos From Buffalo's Snowstorm Will Make You Want to Stay Inside Until Spring
A band of storm clouds moves across Lake Erie and into Buffalo, N.Y., on Nov. 18, 2014 Gary Wiepert—APWil Fuentes posted this photo of a neighborhood completely covered in snow.Wil Fuentes (@wilfuen) via InstagramTrixie Firecracker posted this image saying "Oliver is wondering when his backyard will be clear, he's not too happy with our 6 foot path. #snow #snowedin #winter #winterhasarrived #buffalo #716 #tellelsatoquitit #pit #pitbull #mybaby"Trixi Firecracker (@trixifirecracker) via InstagramAngelo Carpenter posted this image to twitter, stating: "Took him 30 minutes to get to my house and he lives 3 houses down from me..."Angelo Carpenter (@Angelo_Pulvino) via TwitterJames Wisniewski posted this image to Instagram, saying "Welcome to Buffalo."James Wisniewski (@mr_wisniewski) via InstagramDavid Jednat posted this image saying "First snow of the season. #buffalony #westernnewyork #slightflurries #gladihaveaplowguy"David Jednat (@davidjednat) via InstagramDavid Rodriguez, of Buffalo, N.Y., posted this photo to Instagram, stating: "Mother digging her way to the car to retrieve some personal items. I grew up with winters like this. Pic via my brother, @izzyroyaleDavid Rodriguez (@idrod) via InstagramChelsea Tarasek posted this photo to Instagram, stating: "It's a winter wonderland!!"Chelsea Tarasek (@chelseatarasek) via InstagramScott Naauao posted this picture of "The morning snow."Scott Naauao (@naauao) via InstagramCorey Reichle posted this photo showing the scene "Outside my door this morning."Corey Reichle (@CoreyReichle) via TwitterInstagram user posted this image, saying "My current situation stuck n a blizzard!!!! Highways n road shut down we just stuck. #Buffalo #NY #Blizzard #IWantToGoHome"slickbossman (@slickbossman) via InstagramJackie Roach posted this photo to Instagram of her mom, saying "#mom and I should be out of the driveway by march or so. #buffalo #snowstorm #lakeeffect #southbuffalo #iloveit"Jackie Roach (@jacki_roach) via InstagramJames Yusczyk posted this photo after getting off work: "Got out of work 2 hours early thanks to the snow... Hi car..."James Yusczyk (@jamesyusczyk) via InstagramTanya Spar-Skipper (@tskippar) via InstagramFran shot this image from her home in South Buffalo, saying 'Mother Nature's way of saying "it's going to be just fine'"Fran Dyche(@frantastic_143) via Instagram
Four people have died due to the storm so far, including three from heart attacks and one who was fatally pinned while pushing a car out of snow, ABC News’ Buffalo affiliate WKBW reported. Meanwhile, hundreds of cars remain stranded on roads as temperatures plummeted across the nation — all 50 states experienced freezing temperatures Tuesday.
Snow levels are forecasted to reach over six feet in some parts of Western New York areas, while other spots have experienced snowfall rates of 4 to 5 inches an hour. The massive snowstorm is a result of what’s called the “lake effect,” in which moisture over the Great Lakes freezes into snow and blows onto land. The lake effect also results in a strange phenomenon where areas as close as a few minutes of driving from snow-pounded towns have almost no snow at all.
The snow storm is expected to continue through at least Thursday, reaching parts of central New York, before dissipating. It may even break Buffalo’s all-time record of 82 inches of snow falling over five days in 2001, according to BuffaloNews.
