24 Nov, 2014 01:38

Western New York braces for flooding after record snowstorm (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

After a huge snowstorm struck the state of New York covering it with up to 2 meters of snow it took emergency services several days to clear the mess. Now authorities fear the melting snow could cause major flooding in the area.

More than 775 members of the New York National Guard were deployed in Erie County and Buffalo on Sunday to help emergency workers with flood prevention operations, Reuters reports.

This US Army National Guard photo shows New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 152nd Engineer Company as they use engineering equipment to assist in snow removal on November 20, 2014 efforts in Buffalo, New York. (AFP Photo/US Army National Guard/Senior Master Sgt. Ray Lloyd)

The National Guard deployed two helicopters and 20 high axle vehicles for driving through flood waters, along with numerous dump trucks, tractor-trailers and airfield-grade snow-removal machinery.

A High Loader works to clear snow along McKinley Park Avenue on November 20, 2014 in the suburb of Blasdell, Buffalo, New York. (AFP Photo/John Normile)

Last Tuesday was registered as the coldest November day since 1976 with all 50 states suffering freezing temperatures. Thirteen people died in the aftermath of the record fall that buried roads and homes in up to 2 meters of snow.

This aerial photo obtained courtesy of the Erie County Sheriff's Office shows the snowbound interchange of I-90 and Route 219 on November 20, 2014 in Orchard Park, NY. (AFP Photo/Erie County Sheriff's Office)

Over the weekend the National Weather Service has issued potential flood warnings, saying that with temperatures across the affected area expected to stay above melting level until Monday, at least minor floods are “imminent.”

This aerial photo obtained courtesy of the Erie County Sheriff's Office shows the snowbound Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 20, 2014 in Orchard Park, NY. (AFP Photo/Erie County Sheriff's Office)

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Norbert Schnorr attempts to remove some of the five feet of snow from a driveway on November 20, 2014 in the suburb of Lakeview, Buffalo, New York. (AFP Photo/John Normile)

The state had prepared in case of widespread flooding, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reassured the public, saying that hundreds of pumps and tens of thousands of sandbags were ready.

This US National Guard handout photo taken November 19, 2014 shows a New York Air National Guard Airman from the 107th Airlift Wing based in Niagara Falls, New York assisting in snow removal efforts from the roof of the Eden Heights Assisted Living Facility in West Seneca, New York. (AFP Photo /Handout / US National Guard / Maj. Mark Frank)

Greg Waters (L) tries to remove some of the five feet of snow from a driveway on November 20, 2014 in the Lakeview neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. (AFP Photo/John Normile)

Government offices and schools however are expected to be open on Monday, Cuomo said.

“We are sending teams of structural engineers in to inspect any school that might have the potential of a structural problem," he said. "We hope to get back to business on Monday.”