With the possibility of at least 8 to 14 inches of snow falling across Long Island, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning with the storm expected to begin at 3 a.m. Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
On Friday, in an act of cautious anticipation, the City of Long Beach has declared a snow emergency \u2014 effective from 9 p.m. Saturday until the emergency is officially lifted.<\/p>\n
Long Beach is prepared with\u00a0 70 pieces of snow removal equipment and 400 tons of salt, as the sanitation department and emergency management team coordinate to maintain safe roadways.<\/p>\n
The recreation campus will be closed on Sunday. On Monday, the recreation complex, ice arena, Magnolia center and City Hall will be closed to the public. There will be no sanitation pickup.<\/p>\n
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Buses will continue to operate on schedule unless the LIRR suspends service, at which point in time buses would do the same.<\/p>\n
“We are preparing for the worst,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said,\u00a0 noting that the county warming center at 1200 Old Country Road in Westbury will\u00a0 be stocked with blankets, ready meals and other necessities.<\/p>\n
The center will be open “until we determine the cold is gone,” he added. It is open today and is monitored 24\/7.<\/p>\n
The snow is forecasted to be heavy from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon. Precipitation could mix with sleet and freezing rain for a time Sunday night especially closer to the coast.<\/p>\n
“Our trucks are fueled, our plows are on,” Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti said, adding that vehicles should be removed from residential side streets \u2014 if possible \u2014 for plows to “do their job.”<\/p>\n
During a snow emergency, Long Beach residents are required to remove vehicles from dedicated snow emergency routes:<\/p>\n
\u2022West Beech Street from Nevada Avenue to Grand Boulevard<\/p>\n
\u2022West Park Avenue from Nevada Avenue to New York Avenue<\/p>\n
\u2022West Side of Maryland Avenue from Park Avenue to Beech Street<\/p>\n
\u2022West Side JJ Evans Boulevard from Park Avenue to Pine Street<\/p>\n
\u2022Shore Road from Long Beach Boulevard to Maple Boulevard<\/p>\n
\u2022East Pine Street from Neptune Boulevard to Curley Street<\/p>\n
Roads and bridges will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibility may drop below a quarter mile due to heavy snow. Temperatures are expected to remain dangerously low with frigid wind chills reaching around -5 degrees.<\/p>\n
“Salting becomess less effective when we hit 20 degrees,” said Joe Sparacio, commissioner of Nassau County’s Office of Emergency Management. \u00a0<\/p>\n
PSEG Long Island officials said the power utility is prepared to respond safely to potential power outages.<\/p>\n
While powdery snow associated with extreme cold typically does not damage electrical equipment, the utility said hazardous driving conditions, icy roads and reduced visibility could lead to vehicle collisions with utility poles.<\/p>\n
Crews and resources will be in place to respond as quickly and safely as possible. Michael Sullivan, vice president of electric operations, said the company continues to monitor the storm and has completed system and logistics checks to support timely restoration efforts.<\/p>\n
The utility urged customers to prepare in advance, including knowing how to report outages and follow winter safety guidance. PSEG advises people to stay away from downed wires, which should always be considered live, avoid standing water or slush, and never use generators or gasoline-powered equipment indoors or near windows or vents.<\/p>\n
Outages can be reported through the PSEG Long Island mobile app, by texting OUT to 773454, online at psegliny.com\/outages, or by calling the 24-hour electric service number at 800-490-0075.<\/p>\n
Updates are also available on social media and via the MyPower outage map at mypowermap.psegliny.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n