US: Winter Storm Traps Americans In Cars For Days

At least 28 people have died in western New York State, most of them in Buffalo, as a monster winter storm continues to batter North America.

A state official said some people had been trapped in cars for more than two days during what was “probably” the worst storm of their lifetime.

Up to nine more inches (23cm) of snow are expected in parts of the state through Tuesday, meteorologists warn.

The storm stretching from Canada to the Mexican border has killed 56 people.

US President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration allowing federal support for New York State. “My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend,” he tweeted.

Mark Poloncarz, the executive for Erie County where Buffalo is located, said: “We can see sort of the light at the end of the tunnel, but this is not the end yet.”

“It’s a generational storm,” he said, warning that the county was yet to begin assessing the “full toll”.

Citing the local medical examiner’s office, Mr Poloncarz said many of the victims had died from heart problems while shovelling or blowing snow. Some were found dead in their vehicles.

State Governor Kathy Hochul, a native of Buffalo, earlier said: “It is [like] going to a war zone, and the vehicles along the sides of the roads are shocking.”

She added that many emergency vehicles had been unable to reach worst-