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The death toll in western New York from the dangerous Christmas weekend winter storm rose to 17, officials confirmed Sunday night, as tens of thousands of residents remain without power.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz reported 12 deaths in Erie County that ranged from people ages 26 to 93 during a press conference Sunday evening. Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told the Buffalo News later on another four deaths were confirmed in the city to bring that total to 10 fatalities.
A 27-year-old man was also killed in neighboring Niagara County after he was overcome by carbon monoxide from snow blocking his furnace, WGRZ reported.
The number of storm-related deaths could keep growing, Poloncarz said during the press conference.
“We do believe based on reports we’re getting from the field we are going to get a number – hopefully not a significant number – but a number of additionally confirmed deaths in the next six hours because of bodies that have been found but have not yet been transported to hospitals for identification and confirmation of death,” Poloncarz said.
