Across the US, the death toll from the historic blizzard climbed to 64 on Tuesday, according to CNBC.
The unusually frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall blocked roads, making it difficult to conduct rescue operations, officials said.
Death Toll in Buffalo, New York Rises to 28
New York was hit by a winter storm this past Friday, dumping up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow in some places, according to Reuters.
The extreme weather conditions have delayed emergency services across the region. In addition, it shut off power for thousands of people and trapped them in their vehicles and homes, as per Gizmodo.
In a tweet, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wrote that three bodies were recovered in vehicles, while four deaths were recorded from lack of heat. A total of 14 people were found dead outside.
During a news conference on Monday, Byron Brown, mayor of Buffalo said the situation is a horrible one.
Brown also said that the storm was "probably worse than anything that this city has seen in over 50 years."
On Monday, the toll of confirmed storm-related deaths in Buffalo climbed to 27. On Tuesday, the mayor confirmed that another body had been recovered, bringing the total number of deaths in the second-largest city in New York to 28.
According to the National Weather Service's Buffalo station, Western New York will continue to see some snowfall today. Videos showing a complete whiteout from residents' homes or cars were posted online.
Residents of Buffalo also posted videos showing how drivers abandoned their cars in several feet of unplowed snow.
According to Buffalo's Public Works Commissioner Nathan Marton, despite a driving ban being enforced in parts of the Buffalo area, they are still finding a lot of people out who are hampering their efforts as first responders.
Marton added that their department was trying to clear at least one lane for emergency vehicles.
Buffalo's mayor called for everyone to remain patient and stay off the road. He added that when it is possible, the driving ban in the city will be lifted.
Read Also: Rare Snow Storm Causes Traffic, Stranded People And Multiple Accidents In Portland
President Joe Biden Approves Emergency Declaration for New York
Poloncarz said that a snow blanket has left roads impassable in Buffalo. He added that he hopes the driving ban in some suburbs could be lifted soon.
However, according to forecasters, parts of western New York could record as much as eight more inches of snow, with up to 5 inches in Buffalo.
Storm-related deaths were also reported in Ohio, Vermont, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, according to Gizmodo.
Across the US, temperatures plummeted and huge snow drifts have left cities in whiteouts. This resulted in power outages and cancellations of thousands of flights. Moreover, many residents are trapped in their homes without food.
In Erie County, more than 4,600 customers lost power on Tuesday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that she already submitted a request to President Joe Biden for a Federal Emergency Declaration for Erie and Genesee Counties. On Monday, it was approved by the president.
Hochul also told residents of the city to avoid traveling to counties that are affected by the winter storm and to follow local travel advisories.
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