Between 3 and 6 feet of snow and plunging temperatures have left thousands snowed in over upstate New York, and the cold and snow has taken lives.
According to the Associated Press, four people died Tuesday due to the heavy snow. Three of the incidents were caused by cardiac arrest from shoveling snow, while the other one was due to an automobile accident.
Erie County officials confirmed two additional deaths on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to six. Another death was reported Wednesday evening, according to a report from WKBW Buffalo. Another man died while trying to move a snow blower and went into cardiac arrest on Wednesday evening, Deputy County Executive Richard Tobe said in a press conference.
A large lake-effect snow band formed on Monday night over Lake Erie as cold arctic air began sweeping over the relatively warmer Great Lakes. The snow band took aim at southwestern New York and lingered for nearly 24 hours.
Communities along the I-90 corridor in southwestern New York, from Silver Creek to the towns south of Buffalo, have been left in a disabled state, after several feet of snow fell on Tuesday.
Erie County officials warned residents and businesses of potential roof collapses in a press conference on Thursday morning. In Hamburg, New York, BJ's Wholesale was evacuated before the heavy snow proved too heavy for the roof to hold and ultimately collapsed according to the Buffalo News.
"With this heavy snow load now, there are buildings that are in danger," Tobe said.
He also warned of the dangers to mobile home parks as heavy snow continues to weigh down structures.
Tobe encouraged area residents to continue to be smart, stay at home, observe the driving ban.