Biden grants emergency federal assistance to Buffalo amid blizzard conditions

Cami Mondeaux

December 26, 09:49 PM December 26, 09:49 PM

President Joe Biden approved a request from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to grant emergency federal assistance to the city of Buffalo after a major winter storm brought blizzard conditions to the state.

Biden signed the emergency declaration just hours after Hochul submitted the request on Monday afternoon, citing the need for immediate assistance to areas impacted by the winter weather. At least 27 people have died from the storm in Western New York, with thousands more still without power, according to the state government.

KATHY HOCHUL REQUESTS FEDERAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR BUFFALO BLIZZARD

“I would like to thank President Biden for signing the emergency declaration,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement. “I would also like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for the quick response and for her continued support with the recovery process. This has been a very difficult and dangerous storm. Our crews are continuing their work to clear the streets and to assist residents. I want to thank our community for their continued patience and cooperation as we work to get through this together.”

Hochul declared a state of emergency for all of New York on Thursday evening ahead of the arrival of the storm, which remains in place this week. The New York governor also deployed several emergency response agencies as well as an additional 220 National Guard soldiers to the Western New York region in response to the blizzard conditions.

“While we continue to do everything we can to help Western New York recover and await federal assistance, I want everyone in impacted areas to continue to stay off the roads and check in on loved ones and neighbors,” Hochul said in a statement earlier Monday.

Hazardous conditions are expected to continue across the state over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service. At least 50 people have died nationwide due to inclement winter conditions, including residents in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, according to NBC News.