Real Life ‘Frozen’: Snow Overwhelms The US, Kills 7; More To Come (Pictures)
At least seven people have died when parts of the United States experienced a real life "Frozen" scenario. At least six feet of snow fell on over at the upstate New York area. Residents have been advised to brace for more snow in the weekend.
Most of the deaths were due to cardiac arrest as they shoveled snow, according to the Associated Press. Four people died Tuesday while the additional two were on Wednesday. The seventh fatality was recorded Wednesday evening, according to a report from WKBW Buffalo.
But news of good tidings came and tried to counter the gloomy and depressing atmosphere. The Buffalo News reported one woman, identified as Bethany Hojnacki, went into labour Tuesday morning. But the snowy streets prevented her and her husband from going to the hospital. She eventually gave birth later that night to a healthy baby girl at a South Buffalo firehouse. Firefighters tried their best to come to aid the family.
Still, authorities in Buffalo aren't ready yet to label this year's snowfall as the highest on record. Government data cited by AP said the heaviest 24-hour snowfall on record happened in 1921 in the lower 48 states. It specifically occurred at Silver Lake, Colorado, registering at a whopping 75.8 inches. Forecasters have yet to determine the exact rank of this month's storm, but David Church, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said that 60 to 70 inches in 24 hours is probably already contained in the region's top five.
Buffalo, which is used to snow, will probably treat this week's occurrence as something worth telling and retelling future generations. "I'm a pure blood New Yorker, I've been here my whole life," CBS News quoted an unidentified trucker. "All the snow in the world never stopped me until now."
Homeowners were shocked to find themselves sealed in by sheer walls of white as they opened their front doors. Plow trucks sent to help to assist the residents even got stuck themselves in some communities. Some motorists, among them the New York City-based indie band Interpol as well as the women's basketball team from Niagara University, were left stranded on major highways.
Hour 13 trapped in the snow. Dry goods and vodka. We will make it. -DK pic.twitter.com/bEQhaUokKi
— Interpol (@Interpol) November 18, 2014