Historic snowstorm: Western New York sees up to 7 feet of snow, National Guard activated

Western New York was covered in almost seven feet of snow after a storm hit the region throughout the weekend, prompting search and rescue teams to look into potential collapse sites. 

On Thursday, a storm moved into the New York area, bringing some of the highest-ever recorded snowfall in some areas of the state. In Buffalo, some neighborhoods reported up to 77 inches (196 centimeters) of accumulated snow. 

The accumulations “would be on the order of historic not only for any time of year but for any part of the country,” National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira said.

The heavy snow and weather conditions caused many cities to implement travel bans and close highways. At least 88 crashes were reported in Erie County alone and 280 people had to be rescued. The storm also caused several power outages and many schools in the region to cancel classes on Monday. 

At least three people died in the aftermath of the storm. Two people suffered cardiac arrests as they were clearing snow in Erie County, New York, and a snowplow driver was killed after his vehicle slid off the road. 

“This has been a historic storm,'' New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a briefing Sunday. "Without a doubt, this is one for the record books.”

On Saturday, Hochul announced the activation of around 70 members of the National Guard to help with the removal of the snow in some of the areas that were hit the hardest. The governor also announced that she would be filing a request “for a Federal Emergency Disaster Declaration to unlock critical funds.”