Buffalo area blizzard death toll rises as National Guard looks door to door for bodies

The National Guard is doing door-to-door wellness checks across Erie County, New York, as the death toll from the Buffalo-area blizzard has risen to 34, officials said Wednesday.

Over the next 48 hours, the National Guard will traverse neighborhoods that lost power during the storm, County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said during a press conference, Fox News reported. Authorities are concerned more people may have died who have not yet been found.

Three of the 34 people are still unidentified in Erie County, as at least 56 deaths nationwide have been attributed to Winter Storm Elliott, according to The Weather Channel.

"If you have a loved one that you know is missing, please contact your local police department," Poloncarz urged residents.

Buffalo still has a driving ban in place. The region, which was hit with as much as 49 inches of snow, experienced wind around 70 miles per hour at the storm's height.

Meanwhile, police officers in Buffalo have arrested eight possible looters looking to take advantage of the situation.