‘Please, I’m begging, stay home’: US snow storm deaths rise – as some die shovelling snow
Military police are going to guard major intersections in the US city of Buffalo after residents continued to drive through deep snow despite local officials begging them not to.
At least 64 people have now died in the bomb cyclone – the deadliest US storm for at least two generations.
A further two inches of snow is predicted to fall by the end of Tuesday in Erie County, which includes Buffalo and its 275,000 residents.
“Please, please, do not drive in the city of Buffalo, unless you are emergency personnel,” County Executive Mark Poloncarz said during a news conference.
“Too many people are ignoring the ban,” he added, describing the storm as “the worst probably in our lifetime”.
Mr Poloncarz told reporters: “I have been advised that 100 military police are being brought in as well as additional troops from the New York State Police Department.”
They will be situated at entrances to the city and at major intersections, stopping drivers from getting through.
“Please, I’m begging, stay home,” Mr Poloncarz added, saying that ensuring access for emergency response vehicles was a major priority.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown’s office announced seven additional storm-related deaths on Tuesday, bringing the city’s total to 27. At least another seven people perished in the suburbs.
Bodies have been found in cars and homes – and some people have died while shovelling snow.
A further four people died in Canada after a bus rolled over on icy roads in British Columbia.
Some people have died because ambulances could not reach them in time to respond to medical emergencies.
Buffalo has been heavily hit by the storm
A previous blizzard, in 1977, killed as many as 29 people in the region.
Tuesday’s snow may be the last, National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Oravec said.
“It’ll be warming up soon. By Thursday the high will be 8C. By Saturday it’ll be 12C.”
President Joe Biden has authorised federal support for New York state, where tens of thousands of people have been left without power.
Some people have been stranded in their cars for more than two days, with emergency services struggling to reach them, Mr Poloncarz said.
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Buffalo Bills players and staff returned to Buffalo to find their vehicles buried in deep snow following a blizzard.
Read more:
Life on the road as deep-freeze conditions hit New York State
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called the storm “one for the ages”.
It and another big snowstorm just over a month ago have brought almost as much snow as the area would expect during the whole winter, she added.
At one point, Buffalo was getting between two and three inches of snow an hour.
On Monday, almost 4,000 flights were cancelled, according to the tracking site FlightAware, aggravated by cancellations at Southwest Airlines, 70% of whose flights were not running as scheduled.
Tens of thousands of homes and businesses have been left without power.
Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, told Sky News: “I was going to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I think we’re probably going to see these kinds of events a little bit more than that.
“In this instance, this is all to do with the dislocation of the Arctic polar vortex. So that means basically polar air channelling southwards.
“We saw it coming before it arrived. But the actual transition in terms of going from what you might call a mild situation to an absolute freeze happened in some states within an hour so you went down from say 10 to 15 degrees down to -20 very quickly.”
The King has written to former US president Joe Biden after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Buckingham Palace said
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the 82-year-old for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
Mr Biden was diagnosed on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones.
The former president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Pic: Reuters
The King’s letter comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns around his age and fitness to serve, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X after his diagnosis: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
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Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media that he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
Politicians have sent messages of support to Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old, who is the oldest person to ever serve as US president, was described as a “fighter” with people wishing him a “fast and full recovery”.
US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns for his health, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
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UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
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