As the death toll caused by the “blizzard of the century,” continues to rise, President Joe Biden approved federal support for New York state
By Edoardo Giribaldi
A violent winter storm has been paralyzing much of the United States since Christmas Eve, causing, according to the latest reports, 60 victims, 27 of them in New York state alone.
Federal support
On Monday, President Joe Biden authorized federal support for the state after thousands of residents in the Buffalo area found themselves with no power in their houses, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown stated in a press conference.
“My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend,” President Biden tweeted. “You are in my and [First Lady] Jill’s prayers.”
“The blizzard of the century”
According to New York governor Kathy Hochul, who defined the storm as the “blizzard of the century,” it is “way too early to say” that the storm “is at its completion.”
Residents enter a local corner store in Buffalo, New York (AFP or licensors)
The governor urged people to remain in their households, as between 15 and 30 centimeters of snow are expected in the coming hours.
She also warned citizens not to use their cars, as most of the victims lost their lives in traffic accidents caused by the bad weather, with emergency crews inspecting car after car to rescue motorists.
Emergency all over the country
The blizzard of historic magnitude is crippling flights at one of the busiest times of the year; in the last few days, more than 15,000 flights have been canceled, 2,600 on Monday alone.
The frost wave is also affecting locations on the border with Mexico, where newly arrived migrants are having difficulties finding shelter from the temperatures.
