Weather
State of Emergency Declared in Suffolk County as Dangerous Snowstorm Slams Region
BREAKING: Wind gusts up to 50 mph this morning and afternoon will create blizzard conditions in Suffolk County.
It's a very blizzard-y Thursday in Suffolk County. More than a foot of snow is likely to fall across the region before dark, according to the National Weather Service.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has declared a state of emergency for the county, effective at 11 a.m.
A blizzard warning is in effect until 6 p.m. As temperatures continue to fall, conditions were expected will deteriorate quickly Thursday morning. Two inches of snow had fallen by 6 a.m. in Mount Sinai. A total of 12-18 inches is likely to accumulate across the county before the snow tapers off in the late afternoon. The snow could fall at a rate of 2-4 inches per hour at times.
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Wind gusts up to 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions on the roadways. Power outages will also be possible as winds knock down trees and power lines.
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"This is a dangerous storm," the NWS says. "Please do not travel if at all possible."
County officials echoed those sentiments during a press briefing on the blizzard (watch video below) in Commack Thursday morning.
"Our message is very simple: stay off the roads if you can," Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini said.
Numerous minor crashes have already been reported in Suffolk.
On Wednesday, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works filled all snow removal trucks with a full supply of gasoline and diesel fuel, nearly 170 pieces of major snow removal equipment were prepped for use, and 18,000 tons of salt were on hand to help clear county roadways, Bellone said.
"We are out in full force on the roadways with every piece of equipment we've got," he said at the press briefing.
County officials also urged residents to only dial 911 for true emergencies. The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management can be reached at 631-852-4900.
You can read the National Weather Service's latest briefing on the storm here.
Have snow photos? Email them [email protected] and note the location.
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