Study to share what went right, wrong in Christmas blizzard

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — What went right and what went wrong during the Christmas blizzard?

Tasked by the City of Buffalo with helping answer this question, New York University looked into it. The university’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service’s Rudin Center for Transportation led a review, which we heard details of on Friday afternoon.

The report looks at, as Sarah Kaufman puts it, “how Buffalo handled preparation, response, and recovery.” Kaufman leads the Rudin Center for Transportation.

“Because Mayor Brown requested the study, we’re hoping to provide actionable learnings so that Buffalo can pinpoint how to be ready for the next storm,” Kaufman said in an NYU interview published in January.

MORE | Read the full report, “Lessons Learned from the Buffalo Blizzard: Recommendations for Strengthening Preparedness and Recovery Efforts,” here.

The storm, which resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people in Erie and Niagara counties, covered the region in heavy snow, with the Buffalo airport reaching a peak of 51.5 inches.

Buffalo received criticism for the state of the streets and the handling of travel bans during and after the Christmas blizzard hit.

In response to this and the recommendations found in the study, Mayor Brown says action is already underway.

He spoke of purchasing additional snow-fighting equipment, as well as additional equipment for the city’s fire and police departments, as examples of how the city is preemptively preparing for the possibility of another storm in the future.

“With climate change, we know we will see more harsh weather in our community,” Brown said.

Additionally, the city created new positions, such as fleet director.

“An incoming Fleet Director will provide crucial oversight on available vehicles and equipment, as well as work to bolster our city-owned assets,” Mayor Brown previously said.

Not to be confused with the individual fleet managers within Buffalo’s public works, fire and police departments, the person in this role would report directly to the mayor and deputy mayor.

Additionally, a storm response task force, made up of about 20 people, has since been established. Mayor Brown says this group, which includes members of city, county and state agencies, among others, will have scheduled meetings ahead of another storm.