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Floods fear as snowfall in north-eastern US subsides Flood warnings as snow set to melt in north-eastern US
(1 day later)
Snowfall in the north-east of the US is subsiding, forecasters say, but there is now a threat of flooding from rain at the weekend as the snow melts. Snowfall in the north-east of the US has subsided, forecasters say, but there are now warnings of flooding as the snow melts.
Officials in New York state are worried buildings may collapse when the rain arrives, because it initially will add to the weight of snow lying on roofs. Officials in New York state are worried some buildings may collapse when the rain arrives. The storms are blamed for at least 13 deaths in the area.
The state remains paralysed by "historic" levels of snowfall.The state remains paralysed by "historic" levels of snowfall.
The city of Buffalo was estimated to have received as much snow in three days as it normally gets in a year.The city of Buffalo was estimated to have received as much snow in three days as it normally gets in a year.
In parts of the city the snow was estimated to be as much as 2.4m (8ft) deep. In parts of the city the snow was estimated to be as much as 2.4m (8ft) deep. Some areas received a further 0.9m (3ft) earlier this week.
Some areas received a further 0.9m (3ft) late on Thursday afternoon. The deaths of at least 13 people have been linked to the storms, mostly from exposure and heart attacks. Some of those who died were shovelling snow.
The storms have been blamed for at least 13 deaths in western New York, mostly from exposure and heart attacks. Some of those who died were shovelling snow. Weather forecasters have predicted light rain to begin over the weekend alongside warmer temperatures.
Weather forecasters have predicted light rain to begin on Saturday alongside warmer temperatures. Officials in the Buffalo area of New York state have warned that the major concern now is the threat of roof collapses.
Officials in the Buffalo area of New York state have warned that the major concern now is the threat of roof collapses. More than 30 roof collapses in the area were reported overnight. More than 30 collapses in the area have already been reported.
"There will be a rain starting on Saturday that will not initially create a situation where the snow will melt, but it will actually act as a sponge," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told CNN. New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo said boats, pumps, sand bags and other equipment had been moved to western parts of the state to deal with potential emergencies.
"So the water that is falling will go into the snow pack and will actually act as a sponge until it finally starts releasing it." He said: "If the temperature goes up as quickly as they are forecasting, there is a potential for building collapses, significant flooding."
Mr Poloncarz said that the authorities were bracing for the twin threats of collapsing buildings and flooding. He added: "We don't have a crystal ball. We can't say exactly whether there will be a flooding problem. We can't say what kind of structure collapses we're going to have. But we anticipate both to some extent.
"This emergency is not over," he warned. "Flooding can be terrible. I mean really terrible. Flooding can be worse than the snow."
New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo urged drivers to stay off car-clogged roads while workers try to dig out stranded vehicles.
With many roads still impassable, sporting fixtures have either been postponed or cancelled.With many roads still impassable, sporting fixtures have either been postponed or cancelled.
BBC weather forecaster Emma Boorman says that while such bad weather is not unheard of for this time of year, it is a little unusual. A flood warning remains in effect in the counties of Erie, including the city of Buffalo, Genessee, Wyoming, Chatauqua and Cattaraugus, the National Weather Service said.
BBC weather forecaster Emma Boorman says that while such bad weather is not unheard of for this time of year, it is unusual.
Cold air has pushed south and moved over the relatively warm Great Lakes area - increasing the temperature contrast between the water and the air, which leads to vast and persistent snow showers.Cold air has pushed south and moved over the relatively warm Great Lakes area - increasing the temperature contrast between the water and the air, which leads to vast and persistent snow showers.
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Have you been affected by the snowstorms? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the snowstorms? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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