ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Some buildings are struggling under the weight of the snow in areas that were hit hard by the recent snow storm, according to safety officials at a briefing provided by Erie County.
"We are also seeing some issues with collapse in buildings, so we have a huge task force of people in the most impacted areas trying to evaluate some of those snow loads," Greg Butcher, the Deputy Commissioner of Erie County Homeland Security said at a briefing on Sunday afternoon.
Orchard Park and Hamburg received record snowfall throughout the storm, and even broke a state record.
Butcher reported that people are being moved out of buildings that are at risk of collapsing. He said they are currently working at five collapse sites in the county.
The county fire service as well as state resources are out in the area to evaluate buildings.
"This could continue as time goes on. The snow hasn't started melting yet. The warmup won't be until tomorrow," Butcher said.
Butcher said people in at-risk buildings are being taken to warming shelters until the safety of their building can be determined by code enforcement officials.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz did not comment on any specific addresses at the press briefing when asked by 2 On Your Side.
People are advised to not try and clear their roofs themselves without contacting a contractor for information on a safe and proper way to do it.
"Our goal here today is to preach safety as we continue to bring this snow event to an end," Butcher said.