BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A wild nine-day stretch of weather that saw epic snow followed by springlike temperatures, high winds and flood fears came to a close Tuesday in Buffalo and the battered western New York state area.
The storms were blamed for at least a dozen deaths in the region on Lake Erie, which received as much snow in a few days as it normally does in an entire year.
There were isolated reports of melting snow flooding basements and pooling in yards and roads Tuesday, but the region dodged the widespread flooding that residents had feared when temperatures climbed well above freezing following as much as 7.5 feet (2.3 metres) of snow last week.
A single flood warning for suburban Williamsville was in effect through Wednesday morning, and the National Weather Service said counties south of Buffalo could see some freezing rain by then. But several other flood watches and warnings were lifted.
Buffalo students returned to school Tuesday after burning through five snow days. Schools in at least four other hard-hit towns won't reopen until Dec. 1 as towns clean up from the storm.
Family members said 30-year-old Robert Cedar, of Pennsylvania, was helping dig his father's truck out of deep snow Nov. 18 in suburban Cheektowaga when he got pinned between the vehicle and a high lift. Cedar served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A funeral for another victim, found dead in his snow-covered car, is scheduled for Friday in Buffalo. Donald Abate, of Blasdell, became stranded after leaving his job at the Buffalo Federal Detention facility in Batavia on Nov. 19.
