(Updated: 1 p.m.) A powerful Nor’easter packing damaging winds and heavy snow is slamming the region, pounding Long Island Sound beaches and dumping many inches of snow across the North Fork. Coastal roadways are becoming flooded and interior roads, especially north-south roads in the town’s central farm belt, are drifting over and becoming impassable.
The National Weather Service today increased its forecast snow accumulations for northeastern Suffolk County to a total of 18 to 24 inches by the time the storm ends early tomorrow morning. The south shore of Long Island and New York City may get up to 30 inches of snow, according to the forecast.Northeast winds of 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected.
A blizzard warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. tomorrow. Heavy snowfall rates and blowing snow will cause whiteout conditions at times, making travel extremely dangerous.
Conditions prompted Gov. Andrew Cuomo to declare a state of emergency in New York City and on Long Island this morning. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County effective 8 a.m.
“The roads are pretty slippery and with the wind blowing the way it is, we’ve got whiteout conditions,” Southold Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando said. “It’s dangerous to drive, but fortunately people seem to be adhering to the state of emergency.”
Highway crews spread sand early today and started plowing at about 11 this morning. They will continue to plow through the night, Orlando said.
The powerful storm will cause multiple episodes of coastal flooding during high tide cycles today and tonight. There is also potential for significant coastal erosion from strong surf in the Long Island Sound.
The full moon has increased the tide and storm surge. Coastal roads flooded during the morning high tide cycle.
Residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from streets so that plow trucks can operate safely and efficiently.
Suffolk County transit bus service is suspended today. The LIRR is still running, with delays being reported system-wide. Train service may be suspended or cancelled, according to the LIRR. Getting to a train station by car will be hazardous, officials warn.
If you must travel, bring a fully charged cell phone and a winter survival kit with you, police said. If your vehicle gets stuck, stay in the vehicle and call police.
Volunteer firefighters and EMS and standing by at their headquarters to respond to emergency calls.
See local closings and cancellations here.
For live local radar and real-time forecasts, advisories and warnings, visit the SoutholdLOCAL weather page.
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Brian Wolfe
