Buffalo tries to clear the roads after the Christmas weekend's deadly winter storm

Vehicles are seen abandoned in heavy snowfall in downtown Buffalo, New York, on Monday. Emergency crews counted the grim costs of a colossal winter storm that brought Christmas chaos to the U.S., especially in hard-hit western New York. (Joed Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

The massive winter storm that has affected much of the country has claimed at least 49 lives so far – more than half of them in western New York.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says at least 28 people have died in the city because of the storm — and that the number is expected to increase. Bodies have been discovered in cars, homes and snowbanks.