Looters have started to take advantage of the massive Christmas blizzard that hit Erie County, New York, and prompted a Winter Weather Advisory alert from the U.S. National Weather Service. The massive storm has caused widespread power outages that have left thousands of Buffalo residents without power for three days and counting.
Over 100,000 people through New York are without power, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
In response to the continued outages, looters have reportedly started to take advantage of the chaos. “Drop it all, you won’t go to jail,” a man recording footage of looting could be heard saying in a video. “I don’t want to get shot because you’re taking video.”
“We’ve gotta get out of here,” the man added.
Dozens of shops are looted in Buffalo, NY pic.twitter.com/TsQg5mRRh2
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) December 26, 2022
“Viewers’ discretion is advised. Bodies being frozen to death. @KathyHochul how many more people have to die?” Viral News said in a statement made to New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
https://twitter.com/ViralNewsNYC/status/1607457777739526144?s=20&t=Lli86nJaDOrXWoCOq_Mjvw
One source stated that the National Guard is preventing people from entering or exiting the city and someone he knows in the city has been without power for three days and counting.
“It’s awful. My friend tried to retrieve his uncle trapped in city for 3 days without power. National guard trucks blocking the whole area, wouldn’t let him thru, looting going on,” the source revealed in a Twitter Direct Message (DM) on Monday night. “They don’t want any evidence out that it is happening. [sic.]”
This is coming from a source in #BuffaloNY @KathyHochul, what is going on there? #mondaythoughts #Twitter pic.twitter.com/aVZ84Rxpvc
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) December 26, 2022
“National Guard equipment spotted in Rochester en route to assist Buffalo and surrounding areas affected by the blizzard,” The Informant said in a tweet published on Christmas Day. “At least 34 people have died from the wintry weather that is wreaking havoc across the #US over Christmas weekend.”
❄🇺🇸🚨National Guard equipment spotted in #Rochester en route to assist #Buffalo and surrounding areas affected by the blizzard.
At least 34 people have died from the wintry weather that is wreaking havoc across the #US over Christmas weekend. pic.twitter.com/Lx7mZP2Wfe
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) December 25, 2022
“I’m in Buffalo, NY. Whole street without power. Police wouldnt let anyone leave and said power will be restored in 4 hours. Its been 2 days. Low on food and water is frozen. Get the word out [sic.],” a Buffalo citizen told ViralNewsNYC on Monday night.
I'm receiving more SOS messages from people in #BuffaloNY @KathyHochul, what is going on there? pic.twitter.com/YUINBgd1Fg
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) December 26, 2022
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown condemned the looters in a statement on Monday.
“People who are out looting when people are losing their lives in this harsh winter storm is just absolutely reprehensible. I don’t know how these people can live with themselves,” Brown said. “They are the lowest of the low.”
BREAKING: Buffalo Mayor @MayorByronBrown slams looters. “Ppl who are out looting when ppl are losing their lives in this harsh winter storm is absolutely reprehensible. I don’t know how these ppl can live with themselves…they’re the lowest of the low” #BuffaloLooting pic.twitter.com/T3X1FbL8Kp
— Rowan (@canmericanized) December 26, 2022
“Well, Buffalo, NY froze over,” video journalist outlet Viral News NY said in a Monday tweet.
Remember the saying ? When hell freezer over ?
Well, Buffalo, NY, froze over pic.twitter.com/yCo5FJytOb— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) December 26, 2022
Another video published by Viral News NY on Monday showed looters attacking a Family Dollar Store. “As clean up efforts continue in the City of Buffalo from the winter storm, City Hall will be closed tomorrow. A Driving Ban remains in effect for the City of Buffalo,” Brown said.
As clean up efforts continue in the City of Buffalo from the winter storm, City Hall will be closed tomorrow. A Driving Ban remains in effect for the City of Buffalo pic.twitter.com/7Mghq2UVTR
— Byron W. Brown (@MayorByronBrown) December 26, 2022
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced on Monday at 7:00 PM that Buffalo is still under a “Driving Ban” and will be “through tomorrow.”
“The Driving Ban will be lifted in the Town of Amherst as of 7pm. The Driving Ban will NOT be lifted for Buffalo, Lackawanna and Cheektowaga during the overnight hours,” Poloncarz said. “Lackawanna and Cheektowaga will be revisited in the morning; Buffalo will continue through tomorrow.”
The Driving Ban will be lifted in the Town of Amherst as of 7 pm.
The Driving Ban will NOT be lifted for Buffalo, Lackawanna, and Cheektowaga during the overnight hours.
Lackawanna and Cheektowaga will be revisited in the morning; Buffalo will continue through tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/2KNZdJ1cGS— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) December 26, 2022
