US bomb cyclone storm leaves bodies found in cars and homes under snow
Although warming temperatures on the coast may melt the piled-up snow, this may lead to severe flooding and more chaos.
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The storm spanned the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande near the Mexican Border, as of Monday (AP)
Bodies continue to be found inside cars and homes blanketed by snow as the US grapples with one of the worst snowstorms in decades.
It is reported that some people passed away in ambulances and some suffered heart attacks as they shoveled snow. Across the US, 62 casualties as a result of the storm were reported but in New York state alone, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown confirmed that the death toll rose to 28.
County Executive Mark Poloncarz relayed to reporters during a briefing on the recovery efforts that an abundance of people have been ignoring the warning against driving in the unsafe weather conditions, as he urged residents: "Please, I'm begging, stay home... Please, please, do not drive in the city of Buffalo, unless you are emergency personnel."
Christmas 'bombogenesis'
Military police have been deployed with the NYPD to help with the search-and-rescue operations, with Poloncarz adding that the personnel will be stationed at entrances to the city of Buffalo and at major intersections to make sure no one is violating the driving ban for safety.
However, many took advantage of the situation and have been looting, which was "still going on" per Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gragmalia, who confirmed that as of now, four people have been arrested.
Buffalo Mayor Brown stated: "People who are out looting when people are losing their lives in this harsh winter storm is just absolutely reprehensible," adding that these people were "the lowest of the low" since they merely took advantage of a disaster that left many others suffering.
🚨#BREAKING: Heavy gunfire heard as looters flee from business
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) December 26, 2022
📌#Buffalo l #NY
Currently Multiple Looting is occurring throughout the city following a major blizzard that took place as Footage shows someone firing several rounds as looters run from a building. Injuries unknown pic.twitter.com/GTWfkMqSeB
New York continues to struggle with power cuts and airports are in mayhem as thousands of flights have been delayed and canceled and passengers are left stranded. US President Joe Biden has already declared a state of emergency in New York, according to a statement by the White House on December 27.
The meteorological term for the weather phenomenon is "bombogenesis," which is defined as when a storm's central pressure drops at least 24 millibars within 24 hours.
Officials at the National Weather Service warned that warming temperatures on the East coast may help by aiding the snow in melting and thawing, but the downside is that this may cause flooding.
