Deputy fire commissioner Tiger Schmittendorf spent 30 straight hours at the Erie County emergency command center this week, helping coordinate storm cleanup efforts. Once he got home, he was greeted by four neighbors: one with a plow truck, one with a roof rake, one with a snow blower and one with a shovel and a strong back.  Schmittendorf was grateful, but not surprised. After all, Buffalo is known as the city of good neighbors. The lake-effect storm that has dumped up to 8ft of snow on the area this week seems to have solidified that reputation.  It has been a tough week for Buffalo and western New York state. The latest wintry weather – now officially known as Winter Storm Knife – cut through the area like nothing residents had seen before. Buffalo can handle snow, plenty of it, but this was different. According to the National Weather Service, in four days some communities have seen what they would normally see in an entire winter season.  Thirteen people have died, mostly from heart attacks and exposure. Dozens of structures have collapsed under the weight of the snow, hundreds of abandoned cars and trucks have been towed off of roadways and thruways, and schools have been closed for days. Supplies are running low, too. In the hardest-hit areas, some store shelves are empty. In some areas, gasoline is hard to find.  Travel bans kept people trapped in their homes. Shannon Schweigert was stuck in her south Buffalo home for four ​days. She said it could have been worse: “It was scary being stuck alone in it, but my neighbors and I kept checking on each other.” Schweigert said she kept a close eye on an elderly neighbor​. Once the ban was lifted and the snow stopped, two teenage boys helped her dig out her car. She paid them with cookies she​ baked while stuck inside. It was a win-win situation.  Deanna and Jason Russo live in Lake View, just south of Buffalo. Unfortunately, their snow blower broke halfway through the storm. It didn’t take long before neighbors showed up to help shovel and blow away 6ft of snow. Russo, who is seven months pregnant, said she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.  For the most part, folks seem to be taking it all in their stride, although there is some frustration. It has not been easy for many who have been forced to go without medication, those who have worried about loved ones they were unable to get in touch with and those left wondering how and when things will get back to normal.  In the midst of the storm, New York governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency across the area. The national guard was brought in, along with plenty of manpower and equipment from across the state. Local police and fire departments worked around the clock to clear roads, evacuate homes and in one case deliver a baby in a fire hall.  ​The storm even affected the National Football League. The snow was too much for Ralph Wilson Stadium, which was basically buried in white. The Buffalo Bills were forced to cancel Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets. They will now play in Detroit on Monday​.  Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz took to social media to keep everyone informed and aware of what was going on. Again, it was no surprise to him that folks stuck together.  “Neighbors helping neighbors, friends and strangers in another demonstration of the community pride and spirit that identifies us,” he said. “We pull together when the snow flies, and this storm has once again put the spotlight on what a great community Erie County is.”  Buffalo has been the butt of snow-related jokes for years. Its residents can handle the jokes and, it seems, the snow too. There are still plenty of challenges ahead: lost pay for many who missed work, businesses forced to close for days, cracking walls for some, and a massive cleanup. The biggest threat is forecast warm weekend temperatures and rain, which could cause a significant melt. ​A flood warning is already in effect.  But with the sunshine comes hope. Schmittendorf will get some sleep before heading back to the emergency command center. The cleanup will continue to be a massive effort. Food and gasoline trucks will head down the now-open thruway and people, awaiting the thaw, will hold their breath and hope the worst is over.  It’s hard to believe after all of this, but officially, winter hasn’t even started.
Buffalo solidifies reputation as the ‘city of good neighbors’ after snowstorm that was like nothing residents of snow-worn city had seen before