Blowing snow and high winds have led to whiteout conditions so severe that New York State Road 25 between East Marion and Orient has been closed temporarily, according to Southold Town police.
Police said the visibility was so poor in the area this morning that the state shut the road, also allowing for time for cleanup of a multiple car accident in the area.
According to Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, there were no injuries related to the accident, which involved several cars and trucks traveling in whiteout conditions and then stuck in eight-foot high snow drift along Route 25, just west of Orient Point.
Cross Sound Ferry representatives said all service is suspended because no one can get in or out. Service will remain suspended all day and will resume normal operation tomorrow.
Passengers are stranded at the Orient terminal, reps said, and there is no time yet slated for the road to reopen. “It’s bad out there. It could be a couple of hours,” Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando said.
Orient got hit the hardest, with six to eight inches of snow overnight, Orlando added.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the police department is headed to the scene in Orient.
Several motor vehicle accidents have also been reported, with stranded vehicles, Russell said. “Our officers are going to evacuate them and transport as needed. This storm is creating very dangerous conditions and people must stay off the roads,” he said.
Orlando said a town highway truck was one of the vehicles involved in the pile-up. He said the highway department is unable to go out and get the truck due to the whiteout conditions and drifting.
Stay tuned to SoutholdLOCAL for details as they emerge.
