NY highway opens as snow ends; flooding a concern
By CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated Press
Nov 21, 2014 2:33 PM CST
A firefighter from South Line lowers an elderly patient as she arrives to the Appletree Mall in Cheektowaga, N.Y., Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. About 180 patients from the facility were moved after officials questioned sustainability of the the roof from the snowfall. Roofs began to creak and collapse under...   (Associated Press)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A stretch of the New York State Thruway closed by a snowfall totaling up to 7 feet has reopened for the first time since hundreds of motorists were stranded Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Thruway Authority said the westernmost 132 miles of Interstate 90 opened at 3 p.m. EST. Some exit ramps remained closed.

The snow ended Friday but looming rain and warm temperatures raised the threat of flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Buffalo area.

Some homeowners climbed onto roofs to shovel off the snow and reduce the chance of collapse. More than 30 major collapses were reported.

The storms were blamed for at least 12 deaths in western New York, mostly from heart attacks and exposure.

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