NYT: 'It Was Just a Crying Day': Families Mourn Those Killed in the Storm

[tenderfoot]

Western New York is still digging out from a punishing holiday blizzard that has taken nearly 30 lives.

In western New York, the death toll from the punishing winter storm continued to climb four days after the snow began on Friday; nearly 30 people were reported dead after the mayor of Buffalo reported eight more fatalities on Tuesday morning.

Even as the rescue effort continued, official and emergency workers were reeling from what they said was the extraordinary challenge of saving people in this blizzard, which set records for its duration — 36 straight hours — and 79-mile-an-hour winds.

The victims were a medical professional trying to get home for Christmas, a soon-to-be father stepping out for milk. One man, found dead in a snowbank, died on his 56th birthday.

“They have been found a number of different ways,” said Mike DeGeorge, the spokesman for the Buffalo mayor’s office. “They have been found in stranded vehicles, they have been found on sidewalks, near street corners, some have been found in snowbanks. Some have been found because some have been without power since the storm began.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/nyregion/buffalo-western-new-york-winter-storm.html

DU know-it-alls: Don't forget to break out your insensitive/mean-spirited comments.

[Walleye]

1. So sad. And happening on Christmas. Ruining Christmas forever for many people

[SheltieLover]

2. ...

[BlueKota]

3. Heartbreaking

[Kaleva]

4. The deaths will increase as climate change becomes more severe

[bdamomma]

5. So sad

people trying to survive an epic storm, who cannot get help from emergency services due to the amount of snow, wind, low temps and visibility.

[wnylib]

6. And sadly, more will be found when

buried cars are uncovered and searchers are able to get to homes that were without power and heat for 3 days.

[Martin Eden]

7. For those families the grief will be year round

And even more keenly felt at Christmas.