7 dead as epic storm buries western New York state

New York, Nov 20: At least seven people died as a deadly epic storm dumped nearly six feet of snow on western New York state leaving people stuck in their homes and stranded on the roads.

Four of the victims had cardiac problems, including an elderly man who needed treatment but could not be taken to a hospital in time, the New York Times reported.

In Erie County, which includes Buffalo, a 46-year-old man was found dead inside his car buried under 15 feet of snow in Alden, according to county officials.

With another blast of snow expected overnight, dumping as much as three more feet of snow in some places, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency, saying the storm is "nature showing us who's boss," CBS News reported.

The storm blew in Tuesday over Lake Erie. 65 inches are on the ground in South Cheektowaga, New York. Another 15 inches may fall by Friday, the news channel said.

Along Interstate 90 in West Seneca, hundreds of vehicles have been abandoned along 132 miles of highway that remains shut down.

Members of the Niagara University women's basketball team were stuck on their bus for nearly 30 hours.

There is record snow in Michigan, as well with 18 inches falling in Grand Rapids over the past two days.

The heavy snow is caused by gale force winds and moisture coming off Lake Michigan, where 12 foot waves created a wall of ice, CBS News said.

As much as a foot of snow is expected to fall by Thursday night in parts of southern Michigan.

This is the coldest stretch of November weather the area has experienced in a hundred years, it said.