Erie County Executive Mark Polocarz has reported that four people have died as a result of the lake-effect snow storm that pounded areas south of Buffalo Tuesday.
The four storm related deaths occurred in Erie County. Poloncarz announced the deaths during a storm update Tuesday evening. One person was killed while trying to push a vehicle at French and Union in Cheektowaga. Three other deaths are believed to be cardiac related.
Poloncarz said Some parts of the county are going to receive "a years worth of snowfall in three days."
Deputy Commissioner of Erie County Emergency Service Greg Butcher said "snow is not over." He stayed the first goal is too keep citizens safe.
Poloncarz said "rescuing individuals" from those stranded by the storm as been a priority. Some have spent 15+ hours in the cars along the Thruway. State Troopers have been "waking car to car", said Poloncarz. He said the goal is to get citizens out of cars.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today declared a state of emergency for the following counties as a severe winter storm continues to bring snowfall across the state: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Wyoming, and contiguous counties.