By Mark Scott and Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Executive Joel Giambra says the county will hire outside contractors, effective immediately, to help with the removal of debris from last week's massive storm.
He also said 125 additional members of the New York National Guard are being assigned to the cleanup effort, bringing the total number of troops in the region to nearly 300.
County Health Commissioner Anthony Billittier says that a total of 13 deaths in the region attributed to the storm.
The boil water advisory has been lifted for customers of the Erie County Water Authority. Testing indicates that the water supply is safe.
Responding to Congressman Brian Higgins' criticism of FEMA, Giambra said the federal agency is doing a good job. He says they've been on the scene since this weekend coordinating efforts with state and local officials. Gimabra says its inevitable that people are getting frustrated after nearly a week of mess and crisis. But he says this is no time for finger pointing.
Earlier Tuesday, Giambra was involved in an auto accident. It happened in front of Williamsville South High School in Amherst, where the National Guard has set up troops and equipment for deployment across the region. No injuries were reported.