In this case study, Rowhani analyzes the deadly blizzard in Buffalo, New York in December 2022. The blizzard lasted for 37 hours, causing power outages for over 20,000 homes and facilities across the region. Fatality demographics shows that the disaster disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities.
According to Rowhani, the lack of public communication and snow removal equipments were two major inadequacies in disaster response efforts during and after the blizzard. Nevertheless, damage from the blizzard was likely mitigated by Buffalo community members’ willingness to help one another, and by the Major’s prompt decision in requesting external assistance.