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

[29 December 2022 02:05 · Graeme Massie]

Erie County boss defends driving ban

ICYMI: The Erie County press conference is now over, with county government chief Mark Poloncarz battling criticism of his driving ban in the storm-struck city of Buffalo, which will not be lifted until at least 9am tomorrow.

"If anyone is to be blamed, you can blame me," Mr Poloncarz said. "I'm the one who has to make the final call on behalf of the county." He said he understood that people needed to get hold of food and medicine, but argued that the ban remains necessary to stop people from becoming stranded on roads that aren't yet ready to handle mass traffic.

He also poured scorn on authorities in the city of Buffalo, from whom his government took over snow removal duties in some areas. "The city unfortunately is always the last one to not be open. It's embarrassing, to tell you the truth," he said.

Later, he added: "I'm sick of it. It pains me to see the other towns and cities opened when the city isn't. The city has its own problems... I know the mayor's probably not going to be happy to hear it. I don't care anymore. I want it done."

[29 December 2022 03:03 · Graeme Massie]

'Karma owes us big time next year'

ICYMI: Here's the other key points from Erie County's press conference today.

• County government boss Mark Poloncarz denied giving any preferential treatment to the Buffalo Bills football team, who drove back from Rochester Airport to Buffalo during the storm in apparent breach of the driving ban. Mr Poloncarz said the team requested permission to drive and a police escort, but were denied.

• Officials pledged that "no call will go unanswered" as emergency services check in on every single person who called for help but could not be reached during the heaviest snow.

• Melting snow later this week could result in floods, but officials believe they are well-prepared.

• Some people handling calls at the county's emergency management centre had to be taken off duty because it was so emotionally distressing. Mr Poloncarz compared it with the first days of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, where phone line operators were overwhelmed dealing with people "who thought they were going to die".

• Mr Poloncarz concluded: "Karma owes us big time next year... we have gone through the the great blizzard of 2022, and it is devastating, paralysing. It has taken 34 of our fellow citizens. I offer my deepest condolence and sympathies to the individuals who have lost loved ones this holiday season."

You can watch the full press conference here.

[29 December 2022 03:57 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Buffalo lifts driving ban from midnight

After nearly a week after the “once-in-a-lifetime” blizzard, the city of Buffalo has finally decided to open completely by tonight.

Mayor Byron Brown announced that Buffalo will lift its driving ban at 12.01 am local time today and issue an advisory to motorists. The ban will be replaced with a travel advisory.

“Hundreds of very large pieces of equipment will still be out clearing streets from curb-to-curb. Please exercise caution while walking or driving,” Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz said in a tweet.

[29 December 2022 04:03 · Graeme Massie]

Buttigieg vows to hold Southwest Airlines 'accountable'

ICYMI: US transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg has vowed to hold Southwest Airlines "accountable" for cancelling thousands of flights over the Christmas holidays.

The besieged carrier scrubbed a further 2,500 flights on Wednesday according to Flight Aware, piling more misery on stranded travellers who have had their Christmas plans wrecked by the weather-related disruptions.

Mr Buttigeig told CNN that it was an “unacceptable situation", saying: "From what I can tell Southwest is unable to locate even where their own crews are, let alone their own passengers, let alone baggage.”

My colleague Bevan Hurley has the full story.

[29 December 2022 05:10 · Graeme Massie]

Congolese refugee died getting groceries for pregnant wife

ICYMI: One of the most tragic stories of the Buffalo blizzard was that of 26-year-old Abdul Sharifu, a Congolese refugee who died while attempting to get groceries for his pregnant wife.

"It was in his nature to help, no matter what the situation," said Mr Sharifu's friend Enock Rushikana. "He was a good young man, a reliable young man for everyone in the community."

Officials in Erie County confirmed that Sharifu was found dead outdoors at 11:30pm on Saturday.

According to The Buffalo News, Mr Sharifu toldd his wife he was going to buy milk and other supplies, leaving the house around noon on Saturday. Although she asked him not to go, he insisted.

[29 December 2022 06:01 · Graeme Massie]

Video: How a Buffalo Target store became a storm shelter

Here’s our video from the Target store in Buffalo that temporarily became an impromptu storm shelter.

[29 December 2022 07:04 · Graeme Massie]

Buffalo Target workers shelter dozens from blizzard

ICYMI: Heroic retail workers at a Target store in Buffalo, New York set up an impromptu refuge for citizens stranded by winter storm Elliott over the weekend.

In a series of TikTok videos, Carla Rodriguez chronicled how she and her brother were forced to take shelter in the store while on their way to pick up their mother from hospital, eventually staying there for over 40 hours.

"First night wasn't bad," she wrote on Saturday. "The heat was turned off this morning 'cause the store is supposed to be closed, so they are trying to get it working.

"We've had about five more people come in; they've been in their cars all night.... we are safe though, and people are warming up."

Other videos showed people passing the time with colouring books and a TV set up near the in-store cafe, sleeping on inflatable beds with pillows and blankets set up by the store workers.

According to The Buffalo News, about two dozen people ended up having an impromptu "slumber party" there, with staff busting out portable heaters, snacks, hygiene items, and phone chargers, while handing out hot chocolate from the Starbucks.

"They said, 'anything you need, it's on us. Just let us scan it first'," Jessica Sypniewski told the News. "They deserve to be recognised. They really deserve something for sticking through that entire situation with such a positive attitude...

"People could have died. I truly believe they saved lives."

[29 December 2022 08:03 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Video – Texas car wash covered in icicles amid extreme storm

A Texas car wash was covered in icicles as a “bomb cyclone” brought freezing cold temperatures to southern US states.

Video shared on social media, shows the drive-through car wash in the suburb of Lakeway, Austin, covered in ice.

Long icicles hang from the overhead lines and a large brush roller, while the ground is also seen covered in ice.

[29 December 2022 09:03 · Graeme Massie]

How Southwest's 'complex network' fell apart

ICYMI: Here's an edited transcript of Southwest CEO Bob Jordan's statement, which tries to explain just what went wrong for the airline this week.

After taking a moment to boast that his company is the largest domestic carrier in the US, Mr Jordan describes how the airline's presence in numerous smaller cities across the US left it particularly vulnerable when many of those cities "simultaneously froze".

"Our network is highly complex, and the operation of the airline counts on all the pieces – especially aircraft and crews remaining in motion to where they're planned to go," said Mr Jordan.

"With our large fleet of airplanes and flight crews out of position in dozens of locations, and after days of trying to operate as much of our full schedule across the busy holiday weekend, we reached a decision point to significantly reduce our flying to catch up...

"The tools we use to recover from disruption serve us well 99 per cent of the time. But clearly we need to double down on our already existing plans to upgrade systems for these extreme circumstances, so that we never again face what's happening right now."

"Our pan for the next few days is to fly a reduced schedule and reposition our people and planes, and we're making headway and we're optimistic to be back on track before next week.

"We have some real work to do in making this right. For now I want you to know that we're committed to that."

He also praised the efforts of Southwest's "heroic" employees, and said he had spoken with US transport secretary Pete Buttigieg about his company's efforts.

However, the statement did not cut much mustard on Twitter, where many users demanded that Mr Jordan resign.

[29 December 2022 10:00 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Body of Michigan physician found in frozen pond

A Michigan doctor was found dead under the ice of a frozen pond near his home five days after going missing, according to authorities.

An extensive search was carried out at Dr Bolek Payan’s property involving K-9s, drones and officers on foot, officials said in a statement shared on Facebook.

When no sign of the doctor was found, rescue teams cut holes in the ice on the nearby pond and divers located his body. Dr Payan, who specialized in psychiatry, was last seen leaving Henry Ford Jackson Hospital on Thursday.

Graeme Massie reports.