NY Gov. Kathy Hochul overly reliant on local officials during historical Buffalo blizzard: report
A new report released by New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service has revealed that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s delay in issuing a statewide travel ban and deferring to local authorities before the historic December blizzard hit Buffalo fueled a deadly debacle that left more than 40 people dead. The report also identified key shortcomings in Buffalo’s municipal infrastructure and emergency alert systems that hampered the response. Hochul’s handling of road closures came under intense scrutiny in the immediate aftermath of the snowstorm as photos and videos of stranded motorists on roads circulated widely.
The report, which was commissioned by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, showed that Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz had “expressed concerns” about the travel ban starting too early. However, the report also revealed that Hochul closed state roads in the Buffalo area by 6 a.m. on Dec. 23 and a commercial travel ban went into effect around the same time. The report determined that Hochul’s deference contributed to a disjointed response from local officials who were used to being big-footed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo had historically decreed road closures through executive order during his tenure.
Over the course of Dec. 23, a record-setting 22 inches of snow fell at Buffalo Airport, pushed into massive drifts by wind gusts that reached 69 mph. The storm lasted four days, through Dec. 27, and dropped more than 56 inches of snow.
Hochul’s administration mobilized state agencies overseeing transportation, parks, disaster response as well as the National Guard ahead of the historic storm. “Governor Hochul ordered an independent after-action analysis, expected to be released later this month, to help strengthen future emergency operations. The administration is reviewing the City of Buffalo’s report,” Hochul spokesman John Lindsay said.
FAQs:
What caused the deadly December blizzard in Buffalo?
The historic December blizzard in Buffalo was caused by a record-setting snowfall of 22 inches, fierce wind gusts reaching 69 mph, and a disjointed response from local officials.
Who is responsible for road closures during severe weather situations?
In Buffalo, the official responsible for making the call on road closures is usually the Erie County Executive unless there’s an emergency order from the Governor.
What actions did Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration take before the blizzard hit Buffalo?
Hochul’s administration mobilized state agencies overseeing transportation, parks, disaster response as well as the National Guard ahead of the historic storm. They also closed state roads in the Buffalo area by 6 a.m. on Dec. 23, and a commercial travel ban went into effect around the same time.
What lessons were learned from the botched response to the blizzard?
Immediately after the Christmas Blizzard, Erie County undertook a robust after-action review that will inform future blizzard and severe weather responses. They look forward to working with all local and state partners, including the City of Buffalo, to improve storm response and protect public safety.
Report states NY Governor Kathy Hochul depended excessively on local officials during historic Buffalo blizzard
More than 40 people died as a result of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s delay in issuing a statewide travel ban and deferring to local authorities before a historic blizzard hit Buffalo in December 2020, according to a new report from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. The 175-page review claims that Hochul’s handling of road closures came under intense scrutiny as photos and videos of motorists stranded on roads circulated widely, and critics observed that her deference contributed to a disjointed response from local officials who were used to being told what to do by Hochul’s predecessor, Andrew Cuomo. The report also identified shortcomings in Buffalo’s municipal infrastructure and emergency alert systems that hampered the response, and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was criticised for expressing concerns about the travel ban starting too early. The report urged Hochul to carry out further investigations into the historical blizzard response system to improve storm response and protect public safety.