Winter storm Elliott – latest: Driving ban lifted in Buffalo as blizzard deaths hit 38

Buffalo region worst affected in US with at least 38 deaths after blizzard dumped 50 inches of snow on city

‘Dangerous situation’ in Buffalo as storm kills dozens across US

One of the coldest Christmases in modern memory has left more than 60 people dead across the US, with 38 people killed in and around the city of Buffalo, which was hammered by over 50 inches of snow.

Nearly a week after the extreme blizzard, the driving ban in Buffalo was lifted on Thursday, although motorists have been advised to be careful around snow-removal equipment and at intersections.

“Hundreds of very large pieces of equipment will still be out clearing streets from curb-to-curb,” Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz warned in a tweet.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Poloncarz confirmed three additional deaths, marking the deadliest storm in western New York in at least two generations.

National Guard went door to door conducting welfare checks in neighbourhoods that lost electricity. As the city continues to dig out of the storm, the death toll is expected to climb further.

Beyond New York state, winter storm Elliott’s icy bite also saw temperatures plunge to record lows in parts of Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming, and wrought havoc on Christmas travel plans.

Key Points

• Buffalo officials raise death toll to 38
• Buffalo lifts driving ban from midnight
• At least 56 people dead and 20,000 flights affected in winter storm
• PHOTOS: Snow and freezing temperatures hit US
• Mayor slams ‘lowest of the low’ looters in Buffalo

[28 December 2022 19:26 · Io Dodds]

The stories of those who died in Buffalo

As the storm rolled into Buffalo with unexpected speed on 23 December and Christmas eve, there are many horrible stories of people who froze to death in their cars or on the streets.

One of them was Anndel Taylor, 22, who sent videos to her family describing how scared she was as she sat trapped in her snow-covered car for more than 18 hours starting on the afternoon of 23 December.

Another was Monique Alexander, 52, a grandmother of three who "just loved taking care of people", who went out to get groceries on Christmas Eve and was found dead that evening on Delaware Avenue, partially buried in snow.

Timothy Murphy died in his home of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after heavy snow blocked up an external furnace.

Carolyn Eubanks, 63, collapsed in the street while her son was trying to rescue her from her house, which had lost the electricity she needed to power her oxygen machine.

[28 December 2022 20:05 · Graeme Massie]

Hero Florida teacher helps reunite travellers with missing bags amid Southwest luggage chaos

In a nightmare line with her husband trying to retrieve their luggage, Brittany Loubier-Vervisch had a eureka moment.

Andrea Blanco has the story.

[28 December 2022 20:44 · Graeme Massie]

Body of Michigan physician found in frozen pond five days after disappearance

Dr Bolek Payan was last seen leaving Henry Ford Jackson Hospital last week.

[28 December 2022 21:05 · Graeme Massie]

Buffalo storm clean up branded ‘embarrassing’

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has called the City of Buffalo’s storm clean-up “embarrassing” and says the county may take over snow cleaning operations in e future.

“The mayor’s not going to be happy to hear about it, but storm after storm after storm after storm, the City, unfortunately, is the last one to be opened and that shouldn’t be the case,” Mr Poloncarz said.

“It’s embarrassing, to tell you the truth.”

[28 December 2022 21:56 · Graeme Massie]

Nine people arrested by Buffalo police for looting

Nine arrests were made on Tuesday by the Buffalo Police Department’s Anti-Looting Detail, the department announced. have announced.

[28 December 2022 22:20 · Graeme Massie]

Tourists flock to frozen Niagara Falls as Buffalo’s devastating storm death toll continues to climb

Niagara Falls transformed into a winter wonderland after one of the worst storms in living memory.

Bevan Hurley has the story.

[28 December 2022 23:01 · Graeme Massie]

National Guard go door to door in Buffalo

The National Guard went door to door in some areas of Buffalo on Wednesday to check on people who lost power during the brutal winter storms.

(AP)

[28 December 2022 23:31 · Graeme Massie]

Buffalo officials raise death toll to 38

As of Wednesday afternoon, Buffalo officials say that 38 people have died as a result of blizzard conditions in Western New York.

Authorities say that 37 deaths took place in Erie County, and one death has been reported in Niagara County, reported WKBW.

[29 December 2022 00:15 · Graeme Massie]

Nearly 1,600 bats rescued from cold in Texas

Nearly 1,600 bats were rescued from cold weather in Texas and temporarily housed in the attic of a Houston Humane Society director.

The bats all fell to the ground when they lost their grip in the cold weather. And on Wednesday night the flying mammals were all set to be released back to their homes under two Houston-area bridges.

(KHOU)

[29 December 2022 01:01 · Graeme Massie]

What is a ‘bomb cyclone’?

ICYMI: An Arctic blast is sweeping the United States, impacting swathes of the country this holiday season with a miserable mix of dangerous cold, blinding snow squalls and flash freezing.

Forecasters warned of the potential for a “bomb cyclone” – but what does this mean?

The weather phenomenon is technically called bombogenesis and whether it occurs all depends on how quickly the pressure drops. As the jet stream pushes very cold air down from the Arctic and into the US, this mass of frigid air bumps up against the warmer air ahead of it.

Louise Boyle has more.