At least 23 dead in cold weather over Christmas weekend

Monster storm causes chaotic holiday travel

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At least 23 people have died from the wintry weather wreaking havoc across the U.S. over Christmas weekend.

The highest number of fatalities are in upstate Erie County, New York, which encompasses Buffalo, where seven deaths were reported.

“This will go down in history as the most devastating storm” in Buffalo, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a Christmas morning news conference.

MORE: How to stay safe in cold as frigid temperatures hit

The “colossal” snow storm brought winds of nearly 80 mph, the governor said.

Buffalo initiated a travel ban as blizzard conditions moved in.

“I cannot overstate how dangerous the conditions still are,” Hochul said Sunday, urging people to stay off the roads on Christmas.

© Kevin Hoak/Reuters Hoak’s restaurant is covered in ice from the spray of Lake Erie waves during a winter storm in Hamburg, New York, Dec. 24, 2022. © Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP A person clears snow as a winter storm rolls through Western New York, Dec. 24, 2022, in Amherst N.Y.

This storm marked the first time in history that the Buffalo Fire Department couldn’t respond to any calls, officials said. National Guardsmen have been called in.

Hundreds of people have been rescued from cars, Hochul said, adding, “we still have people who need to be rescued.”

Buffalo’s airport will be closed until Tuesday.

© Carolyn Thompson/AP A person clears snow from the sidewalk during a snowstorm, Dec. 24, 2022 in Buffalo, N.Y. MORE: How to look out for neighbors, loved ones in extreme winter weather

Weather-related fatalities were also reported in Ohio, Kansas, Vermont, Colorado, Wisconsin and Missouri, according to The Associated Press.

The storm comes as brutally cold air slams the country on Christmas morning.

© Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images Ice adorns a fountain in Charleston, South Carolina, on December 24, 2022, where temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 32F.

The temperature is forecast to plunge to minus 9 degrees in Minneapolis, 2 degrees in Chicago, 3 degrees in Denver, 15 degrees in New York, 16 degrees in Atlanta and 21 degrees in Dallas.

Over 165,000 customers woke up without power on Christmas morning across Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Virginia and Florida.

Over 3,000 flights were cancelled into, out of or within the U.S. on Christmas Eve, and more than 1,500 flights are cancelled so far on Christmas Day.

© Paul Beaty/AP Passengers wait in line at O’Hare International Airport, Dec. 24, 2022, in Chicago. © Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images Holiday travelers crowd the Detroit Wayne County Metro Airport on Christmas Eve following Winter Storm Elliot December 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.