Buffalo battered: National Guard deployed and at least three dead as beleaguered EMT’s struggle to cope with 30 feet drifts in one of worst Christmas blizzards in history by – Dec. 24, 2022

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• Buffalo, the second largest city in New York state, has been slammed by the bomb cyclone sweeping across the country, impacting 200 million Americans 
• Families are freezing in their homes after the power cut out and one person was found dead on the street
• Hundreds of drivers have been stranded in their cars overnight, with many still waiting to be rescued 
• Emergency services across Erie County have been halted after travel became nearly impossible and two people died when first responders were unable to reach them 
• Experts said it was the City’s worst blizzard in history, with total snowfall double the previous record  

The city of Buffalo in Western New York has been battered by the bomb cyclone that continues to lash the eastern seaboard and mid-west, bringing with it blizzards, freezing temperatures and flooding.

Families are pleading for help on behalf of loved ones stuck in their homes without power. Some have issued calls for aid while trapped in cars on roads and highways blanketed by several feet of snow.

The National Guard has been deployed to help with rescue efforts after emergency services were overwhelmed and police vehicles and ambulances were left unable to travel in the Arctic conditions. Hotlines set up to help the stranded and desperate are also overwhelmed. 

Across the country, the storm has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, three of whom were  in Erie County – and more deaths are expected. The storm is impacting 200 million people nationwide while leaving millions without electricity on ChristmasDay. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday that every fire truck in Buffalo was stranded in the snow. It was estimated that around 500 cars were stuck on Friday night in the county. A travel ban is in place but there are fears many are ignoring the safety advice to reach family members and friends over the holidays.

No matter how many emergency vehicles we have, they cannot get through the conditions as we speak,’ Hochul said.

In a sign of the difficulties faced by emergency services, paramedics had talk a woman through delivering birth as they were unable to get to her.

Facebook pages have been set up to help those stranded in the blizzards. Many posts are from people who have suffered power outages and are trapped in their homes in freezing temperatures. Some people have complained they are without vital medication. 

Brandi Benham, 29, told DailyMail.com her 49-year-old mom was trapped for more than 24 hours at home without power and crucial oxygen supply. Brandi posted a desperate request for help before several of her mom’s neighbors were able to reach her. 

‘Her neighbors have been able to get to her and get her barricaded into the kitchen with the stove lit, so she’s at least trying to stay warm. They have brought her portable oxygen to the police station and they are charging it there, but they are running on a generator power as well.’