Lessons Learned from the Buffalo Blizzard: Recommendations for Strengthening Preparedness and Recovery Efforts

In December 2022, the City of Buffalo in Erie County, New York experienced a “generational storm” that claimed the lives of 31 residents and brought activity to a standstill for nearly a week. While the city is no stranger to snowstorms, several factors made this particular blizzard uniquely challenging. Hurricane-force winds of up to 80 miles per hour brought whiteout conditions and 15-foot high snowdrifts, wind chill temperatures dipped to 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, and the blizzard lasted longer than any prior storm below 5,000 feet of elevation in continental U.S. history. Taking a proactive approach, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown sought expertise on how to better prepare for future blizzards of this magnitude. He commissioned the NYU Wagner School to conduct an analysis of the storm’s impacts and to identify actionable solutions aimed at improving preparation and recovery, and reducing loss of life and property in the future. The research team focused on and investigated four primary areas of impact: ● Roads: How disastrous road conditions and insufficient snow removal. During the course of our study, the research team interviewed more than 30 stakeholders representing city and state government, community organizations, emergency responders, utility providers, and business owners. We collected and analyzed data and documents from a variety of sources including the City of Buffalo, National Grid, local and national media, and social media. We also reviewed the historical context of Buffalo’s 1977 blizzard, the last “generational storm” with parallels to the December 2022 event. To help the city bolster its preparedness, response, and recovery efforts going forward, we identified relevant solutions and systems that have been tested and implemented elsewhere and could be considered for Buffalo. resources impeded the storm response and recovery ● Utilities: How power losses affected residents and city operations ● Communications: How warnings and emergency messages were communicated to the public ● Equity: How the storm exacerbated existing inequities in the city of Buffalo