New York dealing with massive snow; 2nd storm looming

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Lake-effect snow pummeled areas around Buffalo Wednesday for a second straight day, leaving residents stuck in their homes as officials tried to clear massive snow mounds with another storm looming.<br /> <br /> Even hardened Buffalo residents were caught off-guard as more than 5 feet fell in parts of the city by Wednesday morning. Some areas were expected to get 6 feet by the storm's end Wednesday afternoon. A second storm was due Wednesday night.<br /> <br /> The storm was blamed for five deaths in New York including three from heart attacks.<br /> <br /> A 132-mile stretch of the state Thruway in western New York remained closed as authorities continue their efforts to rescue motorists stranded on a Buffalo-area section of the highway. Officials with the Thruway Authority and state police did not provide information on how many people remained stranded.<br /> <br /> Cold weather enveloped the entire country Tuesday, leading to record-low temperatures more familiar to January than November. Racing winds and icy roads caused accidents, school closings and delays in municipal operations from the Midwest to the South even where snowfall was low or completely absent.