BUFFALO, N.Y. — The once-in-a-generation storm wreaked havoc on Western New York, causing 10-foot waves and 80 mph hurricane-like wind gusts.
The blasting and blanketing conditions — despite region-wide driving bans — left dozens stranded for hours and unleashed chaos for first responders.
“Unnecessary travel from people creates unnecessary risk,” said LT. David Morales of the Getzville Fire Company.
Those were unnecessary risks that first responders like Morales have had to work around all day, causing potentially deadly outcomes.
“Stranded cars and motorists just slow our response time down even more,” Morales said. “And if we're trying to get to somebody say it's having a heart attack, minutes can feel like an eternity.”
The town of Evans experienced a similar issue and took action today, issuing voluntary evacuations and offering fire crews to pick up residents and take them to warming shelters to avoid mother nature's wrath and more drivers getting stuck.
“Littering the streets with the cars doesn't help to clean up any faster and it just lessens our resources we have to go to real emergencies because they're up there taking you out of your car and bringing you to warming shelters,” said Guy Canonico, Disaster Coordinator for the Town of Evans.
With 911 centers being overloaded with calls from stranded drivers tonight, local officials and emergency responders are urging residents to follow the driving bans and stay home as the region braces for its second day of nightmare conditions and a withering white Christmas.
We can keep you safe and warm in your homes,” Canonico said. “We'd like to do that. The best bet is for everybody to stay home while driving bands around so we can clear the roads and emergency services can get in and out of those areas.”
“I would just ask that you be more considerate and thinking that when you are taking your life into your hands by unnecessarily traveling, it's more than just you. It's the people that are coming to help,” Morales said.