Ten people have now died as a result of the major lake-effect snowstorm that has pounded the region over the past three days. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced two additional deaths at a news conference Thursday afternoon. One of the individuals died in the Town of Boston, the other at an undisclosed location in Niagara County, both due to exposure to the elements. Both were men.
Eight of the ten deaths have occurred in Erie County, one in Niagara and one in Batavia in Genesee County.
Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein says most of the deaths were preventable. Many of the individuals had cardiac issues, others were killed in accidents involving automobiles.
The ages of the deceased range from 30 to 82.
