October Storm Disrupts Power, Travel in Buffalo

A powerful lake-effect snowstorm struck the Buffalo Niagara region on October 12, 2023, causing widespread power outages and significant damage. More than 390,000 homes and businesses experienced a loss of electricity, with some areas remaining without power for over a week.

The storm, fueled by Lake Erie’s 60-degree water, brought heavy snowfall, downed trees, and flooding. Travelers faced severe disruptions, with thousands stranded at airports and on highways. The storm was described as the worst October storm in Buffalo’s history.

National Grid and NYSEG mobilized 700 crews to restore power to affected areas. Officials warned that full service restoration could take several more days, with some households expecting to remain without electricity for up to a week. The storm also caused extensive damage to trees and infrastructure.

The federal government declared Sunday that four Western New York counties are eligible to receive millions of dollars in emergency financial aid to help the area recover from last week’s devastating snowstorm.