by Madeline Heinsen, staff reporter
Christmas is right around the corner and so is the weather is to match. Buffalo, New York received 5 1/2 feet of snow on November 17th, with another layer on November 18th which caused Buffalo to reach another 5-8 inches as a result of a lake-effect storm. The snow storm killed thirteen people, including a 60-year old man who was stricken by a cable while operating a snowblower.
“I was honestly shocked when I heard how much snow Buffalo got this week. If Flushing ever got that much snow I would obviously be happy because schools would have to shut down, but I would also get mad cause I wouldn’t be able to leave my house,” junior Adriana Anez said.
Buffalo is now preparing for all the snow to melt which can result in massive flooding throughout the area when temperatures climbed over the weekend and reached 66 degrees on Monday, November 24th.
“Expect 5 to 6 feet of water in some areas in a short period of time,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told CNN.
Meteorologists predict rainfall in the beginning of the week which can increase the melting of the snow. Fall leaves can, as well, clog the drains and increase the amount of flooding.
“We are preparing now for more flooding than we have seen in a long, long time, If we’re lucky we won’t need any of it … but our motto is prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” state Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo advised residents to stay in their homes as the roads will still be dangerous. Although staying home will also be dangerous as the roofs on more than thirty homes have caved in under the weight of snow. Winter has only just started and it’s only going to get worse in Buffalo.
