Cheektowaga, NY (WBEN) Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says emergency services are unavailable in the hardest hit communities as a result of the blizzard. two people with medical emergencies died as crews couldn't get to them.
"This may turn out to be the worst storm in our community's history, surpassing the famed blizzard of 77 for its ferocity," says Poloncarz, who adds blinding snow has limited rescue and response efforts. He adds hundreds are likely still stuck in vehicles, including individuals who tried to drive out in the late night hours last night. "The problem is there are parts of the county where it is very, very windy, but they didn't get as much snow. And so the blizzard conditions exist, but they're not as bad and it sounds like people tried to traverse in from other areas as well as leave places where they were at safe location for work to get on the roads and just unfortunately got stuck," notes Poloncarz.
Poloncarz says the top priority is coordinating efforts to get to those stranded. "The problem is in the hardest hit areas, up to two thirds of emergency response vehicles are stuck," Poloncarz explains. In those areas, the county executive says there is no emergency service available in hardest hit areas like Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Kenmore, Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster and Williamsville.
Poloncarz says there is a tragedy to report from the storm. "The town of Cheektowaga reported to us last night that two people died in separate incidences when emergency medical personnel could not get to their homes in time for medical emergencies," says Poloncarz. He says the victims were in their homes at the time. He also says he received a message from Dr. Myron Glick of Jericho Road who told him he's talking through a woman through the delivery of her baby with her sister, basically delivering the baby for her.
Driving bans are still in place in Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Genesee Counties.
