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By Ellen Wulfhorst Nov 20 (Reuters) - Fresh snow fell on Thursday in snowbound western New York state, where longtime residents described the blast of winter weather as the worst in memory. At least eight deaths were blamed on the storm. Some areas of New York along the Great Lakes had nearly 2 feet (60 cm) of new snow on top of accumulations as high as 5 feet (1.5 meters) from earlier in the week. The National Weather Service said parts of the region could expect 3 feet (9O cm) more snow before skies clear on Friday. 'I've been in a lot of snowstorms, and this is by far the worst. There's been more snow in the shortest period of time I've ever seen,' said Chuck Specht, 58, who reported 7 feet (2.1 meters) of snow at his house in Marilla, New York. Specht was trying unsuccessfully to clear a patch in the snow for the family dog to relieve itself, he said. 'Even for seasoned veterans, this is getting to be a bit much to handle,' he said. Hoping to clear its snow-filled stadium for a National Football League game against the New York Jets on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills offered to pay $10 an hour plus game tickets to people willing to shovel. Governor Andrew Cuomo said holding the game would be 'impractical' because of road closings and dangerous travel conditions. The team said the NFL would decide if the game would be postponed. The National Hockey League postponed the Buffalo Sabers' home game against the New York Rangers on Friday night 'due to the continuing weather-related difficulties in the Greater Buffalo area and out of respect for the fans of the Sabers.' Erie County Deputy Executive Richard Tobe said roof collapses posed a threat, especially at mobile home parks. 'With this heavy snow load now, there are buildings that are in danger,' he said. Nearly 5 feet of snow had Tom Irwin, 68, and his family housebound since Monday in Derby, New York. 'We decided to make the most of it. We put the Christmas tree up,' he said. 'It's certainly the worst storm we've experienced, and we've been here just under 30 years.' States of emergency are in effect for 10 counties, driving was banned on many roads and 140 miles (225 km) of the New York State Thruway were closed. (Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst in New York; Editing by Bill Trott, Doina Chiacu and Peter Cooney)
Entities 0 Name: New York Count: 4 1 Name: Ellen Wulfhorst Count: 2 2 Name: Bill Trott Count: 1 3 Name: Erie County Count: 1 4 Name: Reuters Count: 1 5 Name: Richard Tobe Count: 1 6 Name: Specht Count: 1 7 Name: Great Lakes Count: 1 8 Name: Buffalo Bills Count: 1 9 Name: New York state Count: 1 10 Name: New York Rangers Count: 1 11 Name: National Hockey League Count: 1 12 Name: Andrew Cuomo Count: 1 13 Name: Marilla Count: 1 14 Name: Tom Irwin Count: 1 15 Name: Greater Buffalo Count: 1 16 Name: NFL Count: 1 17 Name: National Football League Count: 1 18 Name: New York Jets Count: 1 19 Name: Doina Chiacu Count: 1 20 Name: National Weather Service Count: 1 21 Name: Chuck Specht Count: 1 22 Name: Buffalo Sabers Count: 1 23 Name: Peter Cooney Count: 1 24 Name: New York State Thruway Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/11HDdhO Title: UPDATE 1-Snow to keep falling in paralyzed western New York another day Description: (Adds quote regarding football game) By Ellen Wulfhorst NEW YORK Nov 20 (Reuters) - Snowbound residents of western New York awoke to as much as another foot of accumulation on Thursday with possibly another 30 inches (76 cm) expected, meteorologists said. At least eight deaths have been blamed on the wintry blast.