Failures in Buffalo's Blizzard Response Highlighted in NYU Study

A report by researchers at New York University found multiple failures in Buffalo's response to a blizzard that killed 31 residents in December 2022. Emergency warnings did not adequately convey the life-threatening nature of the storm, and coordination between city, county, and state officials became strained. The report also highlighted economic disparities that made the storm more challenging for low-income residents. The researchers recommended building better communication systems, improving facilities, and fully staffing a Traffic Management Center. The report did not dig deep enough into the causes of the failures, according to some community leaders and experts.