Buffalo Digs Out After Record Snowfall

(CBS/AP)  Residents were digging out and cleaning up Saturday after a record-breaking early snowstorm walloped the Buffalo area, leaving thousands without power and killing three people.

Nearly 2 feet of snow fell in a fury of thunder and lightning Thursday night and early Friday in Buffalo's two snowiest October days since the National Weather Service began keeping track 137 years ago.

The heavy, wet snow snapped tree limbs all over western New York, leaving some 341,000 homes and businesses without power.

"Our street looked like it was hit by a hurricane. It looks like the apocalypse. It's unreal," said Buffalo resident Matthew Colken. "One-hundred-year-old trees are down."

National Grid, which reported 237,000 customers without electricity at 6 a.m., worked through the night but many customers were expected to be without power through next week and into the following weekend, spokesman Steve Brady said. A major problem was getting crews on the road, he said.

"Our people are getting stuck in the driveway here," Brady said. "Many of the roads are, if not impassible, near impassible."

New York State Electric & Gas reported an additional 104,000 without power in the region as of 6 a.m.

The companies warned people to stay away from downed power lines.

Erie County authorities said two people, including an off-duty state trooper, died in traffic accidents, and one person died after being hit by a falling tree limb while shoveling snow.

Gov. George Pataki asked President Bush to declare a federal emergency in Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans Counties. If the request is granted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would provide reimbursement to local and state agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs for snow and debris removal.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton canceled a trip to Nevada so she could visit the area Saturday.

On Thursday, 8.6 inches of snow fell — the snowiest October day in Buffalo in the weather service's history. The record lasted for all of one day, as a foot of snow fell early Friday. The old record was 6 inches, set on Oct. 31, 1917.

The snow began melting Friday as bright sunshine emerged and temperatures warmed into the 40s. But the wind continued to howl, raising fears more trees would topple.

"My yard looks like pick-up sticks with the trees," said Rep. Thomas Reynolds, a Republican congressman from suburban Clarence.

Schoolchildren who began the week with a summerlike Columbus Day holiday ended it with a snow day.

"It's pretty cool because we get to build snow forts," said 10-year-old Christopher Platek. "We get to bury ourselves in the snow."

The storm buried pumpkins and apples just before a busy picking weekend, but the snow is not expected to cause damage, New York Farm Bureau spokesman Peter Gregg said.

[hermit22]

"SHOVEL off to Buffalo".

[tpeks40]

I'll agree with you that in these parts we help each other when the going gets tough. This past storm was a disaster, but we'll all get through it. It is a nice break from the political garbage. Not having Cable TV also means not seeing those lame political commercials. I don't miss them, but I do miss watching the Sabres, especailly the win at Detroit Friday night, and tonights big win vs. the Rangers. I must say that I like both goalies, but find neither of them 'adorable' ;)

[tpeks40]

To Glidescube;
I live in New York, near Buffalo, and there's no homes burning down from forest fires, no mud slides burying my neighbors, and no earthquakes killing hundreds to thousands of people every 20 years. I'll take a little cold and snow anyday. Enjoy California while it's still attached to the continent, while I clear some debris and shovel a little snow.

[glidescube]

I live in Southern California and I slept with the windows open and the heater off.

[tpeks40]

Hi Janem4,

I am in Kenmore, which was hit pretty hard. I did not get to watch the game as my cable TV is out, but I did get to listen to it. It was wonderful hearing Hasek getting beat in a game we really had no right winning (shots on goal 40 something to 20ish) Great job by Miller in net. Go Sabres!!
Hopefully this mess will be cleaned up soon. I am mourning for the trees. It's devastating!! All those beautiful trees gone or mangled. This area will never look the same.

[frb01]

I am a Western New York and my part of the world got missed this time but it will happen again, like it has in the Ice Storms of 76, and 92, the Blizzard, five feet of snow in 98, the November storm of 2000 when I was caught in Buffalo and many trips back and forth to work. Because trees and power were affected this time, it is more than just waiting for it to melt, but there are enough resources in Western New York and snow removal experts to get this done. And the state has the bitter experience of the ice storm a couple of winters back that hit the northern NY are hard, so the resources are there, it just doesn't seem to be when it is in the thirtys with no power.

[tpeks40]

Hey Twillbury, have fun in the next hurricane. My roof never blew off during a snow storm, including this one. I'm glad you moved from Buffalo too, we don't need any cry babies living in the City of No Illusions....
On to the story.....It's by far the worst storm we've ever had, including the Blizzard of '77. The issues this time are all the leaves on the trees, and 2-3 feet of wet snow deposited on top of those leaves last evening and overnight. Every single tree in the area was affected, bringing down power lines everywhere. I was one of the lucky ones. My home still has electricity, which means I also have heat, as most furnaces are electronically piloted. We can handle snow up here, but not when the plows can't get by downed trees and power lines. It's a disaster and unfortunately there were a few lives lost, but thankfully not on a large scale. We're not out of the woods yet, but the temps are supposed to rebound back into the 60's early next week. I was riding my motorcycle last Tuesday, and I plan to be riding it again next Tuesday. Crazy weather!!

[peaceforusa]

I live in Michigan and it has been really cold and we had a bit of snow yesterday but nothing major, but I hear it is coming and I am just getting prepared for the same. The thing is to be prepared for any disaster. I am hoping not to lose power, that is the worst, but I guess I better expect it. Stay tough Buffalo, it has to melt sometime.

[twilbury]

I'm sooooo glad I moved out of Buffalo as soon as I could. I sit in the splendor of the south enjoying the balmy breeze while watching the joys of snow on the television.

[pakaal]

"You don't wait for the feds."

Amen to that janem4. We know how that works. Or doesn't!