It’s hard to fathom given the sweltering heatwave steaming us across Australia, but a dangerous winter storm has taken hold over the eastern parts of the United States and left at least 28 people dead, according to the ABC. The pics to come out of it are apocalyptic.
Freezing temperatures saw electricity cut off for more than 200,000 people across the eastern states of America on Christmas Day.
Flights were cancelled and holidays ruined as the storm — which has been going for fives days now — raged on. Ferocious winds left 48 US states in negative degrees during the weekend, with Chicago hitting -21C on Friday.
Some local reports say as many as 30 people have lost their lives in weather-related incidents.
It’s so cold the #Chicago river is steaming. (Temperature -9°, Windchill -40°) @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/ZqeQ73NlRU
— Mike Lowe (@MikeLoweReports) December 23, 2022
Buffalo, in the west of the state of New York, is one of the worst places hit by the blistering blizzard and is in “a crisis of epic proportion” according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, per news.com.au.
With a maximum temperature of -6C, no power and piles of snow taller than cars leaving people trapped inside their homes and unable to get help, the conditions have been described as “life-threatening”. The storm has only just shown signs of easing but is still raging on — effectively leaving people marooned because emergency services can’t get to them.
Folks have taken to the internet to share wild pictures and footage from the event and honestly, this nightmare looks straight out of The Day After Tomorrow.
Frozen castle 🥶#buffalo #buffaloblizzard #blizzard @CNNweather @accuweather @weatherchannel @news4buffalo @TheBuffaloNews @wunderground @StoryfulNews @JukinMedia @FoxNews @andyparkertv @ReedTimmerAccu pic.twitter.com/UZ36JRficL
— BuffaloWeather (@weather_buffalo) December 24, 2022
Buffalo harbor ENCAPSULATED IN ICE from the prolific seiche with #blizzard of 2022. Be careful not to bruise your knees if observing this ice! pic.twitter.com/kfFycbZ2u0
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) December 25, 2022
As someone who lives in Sydney, my brain actually can’t process icicles and a beach in one image. This feels like a defiance of the laws of nature.
This photo is of I90 near Kadoka, SD. This is why the Interstate remains closed. pic.twitter.com/ynLU4ydk5B
— Tea Storm Chasers (@TeaStormChaser) December 23, 2022
NEW VIDEO: Snow drifts are reaching the height of SUVs in the Buffalo area as this historic blizzard gradually winds down. Some cars have been abandoned in the middle of roads during the height of the lake-effect snowstorm. #NYwx #snow pic.twitter.com/0v90aofgsX
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) December 25, 2022
The total from Buffalo, NY nearly 80 inches. The snowfall jackpot was Orchard Park with 77”. This was the scene from nearby Hamburg, NY which picked up 73.7” pic.twitter.com/tCRMSADbZY
— Lowell Thomas (@LowellTmas) December 17, 2022
A picture from cheektowaga that describes this storm perfectly. pic.twitter.com/MQEGupkOjy
— BuffaloWeather (@weather_buffalo) December 25, 2022
Just look at that massive fkn wall of snow. Whole cars are buried in there!
the @BuffaloBills came back from Chicago to their cars buried under snow 😮❄️ pic.twitter.com/dNz9iKngKh
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 25, 2022
WILD VIDEO: Crazy blowing snow continues in Buffalo with wind gusts of 30-40 mph. Travel still remains difficult in Erie County, NY. #wind #snow #NYwx pic.twitter.com/0xwyyOQ75T
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) December 25, 2022
Some people shared pictures of their front doors snowed in. It’s a scary prospect given people may have limited supplies but can’t get to restock.
When this Buffalo resident opened his back door this is what he saw. 😳🎄🎁☃️🎅🦌👼 pic.twitter.com/JNupboGOZD
— cutigers 🧡💜🐅✝️ (@cutigs1) December 25, 2022
In case you were wondering what’s happening in the Buffalo area … 🥶
This is outside my front door. Thankful to still have heat and a stocked fridge. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/W6EyJ0x7lr— Tanvier Peart (she/her) (@tanvierpeart) December 24, 2022
Current conditions in Hamburg-looks like blizzard made its way here. pic.twitter.com/UI8zlepFQ4
— BuffaloWeather (@weather_buffalo) December 25, 2022
Seiche, blizzard and ice in Buffalo pic.twitter.com/6HxPIbdQoi
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) December 26, 2022
The storm’s five day tirade is almost unprecedented and climate activists have warned these things could become the norm if we don’t take climate change seriously.
The Buffalo blizzard is looking like it’ll ease in the next few days. However, that doesn’t mean the danger is almost over.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz warned the death toll is expected to rise as some people had been stuck in cars for more than two days and others were snowed into their homes without access to medicine.
