Concerns that warming temperatures will melt snow in Buffalo have prompted residents to brace for potential flooding.
In a press conference Friday afternoon, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the state was stockpiling equipment to handle "potential flooding operations," including 425 pumps and generators, 55 boats, three helicopters, 29 high-axle vehicles (which can be used to conduct rescues in 4 to 5 feet of water) and 180,000 sandbags.
[seealso slug=http://sale-online.click/2014/11/21/buffalo-snow-cold-statistics/%5D%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ECuomo also warned that more roofs and buildings could potentially collapse. The New York governor also provided a public briefing on "flood preparedness" Saturday afternoon.
We have brought here pumps and personnel from all across the state to prepare for potential flooding in Western NY over the next few days.— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 22, 2014
Our motto: "Prepare for the worst & hope for the best." We're preparing for the worst as we enter Phase 2 in this battle with Mother Nature.— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 22, 2014
More than 500 National Guard soldiers and airmen were also deployed to western New York to help with clean-up and flood-preparation efforts, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
NY state Police, Fire dept & 500 National Guard deployed to #Buffalo area to clear snow, and prep for possible flooding - @NYGovCuomo— Aarti Pole (@aartipole) November 22, 2014
Buffalo and surrounding areas endured as much as 88 inches of snowfall this week. The storm resulted in 13 deaths, and caused roofs to collapse. Due to the bad weather, an NFL game scheduled to be played in Buffalo was moved to Detroit.
The storm is over, but authorities are now dealing with a new danger: Weather models have forecast temperatures in areas affected by the storm to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit -- a 50-degree swing from earlier this week. As a result, the snow that still covers much of Buffalo could melt and cause severe flooding.
Aerial photos over #Buffalo region showing cleanup after the storm, via @nyspolice: http://t.co/AbU2hDr9Ir pic.twitter.com/6J2v5g6XAI— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 22, 2014
While the snow has caused damage, Cuomo warned that residents that the worst is yet to come.
Cuomo: It's not over until it's over....Flooding can be dangerous, causes much more damage than snow. @WBFO— WBFO (@WBFO) November 22, 2014
Additional reporting by Anita Li