Blizzard 2015: Snow, wind in East Rockaway, Lynbrook

East Rockaway resident Ed Mott, working snow blower, was one of the first homeowners out on Tuesday morning to clear his sidewalk. His son, Chris, left, helped shovel.

Mary Malloy/Herald

DPW trucks were out early in East Rockaway, and continued to clear local roads throughout the day on Tuesday.

Mary Malloy/Herald

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Residents, business owners and village officials in East Rockaway, Lynbrook and around Long Island were dealing with the season's first major snowstorm early this week, with blizzard conditions that continued Monday afternoon through most of Tuesday. With heavy snow and wind picking up again on Tuesday morning after abating overnight, an average of 18 inches of snow fell in the area - a half-foot less than some earlier predictions.

Kate Murray, Hempstead town supervisor, declared a State of Emergency for the Town of Hempstead, and Governor Andrew Cuomo declared the same for the state, halting travel throughout all counties affected by the storm.

Though the storm was not quite as historic as forecasts foretold, with East Rockaway and Lynbrook receiving nearly a foot of snow as of press time on Tuesday, village officials worked hard to keep their communities clear and safe.

“The Department of Public Works worked very hard all night long to deal with this storm, and we owe them plenty of thanks,” Lynbrook Mayor Bill Hendrick said on Tuesday morning. “They really did do a great job of getting our streets cleared, plowed and safe … overall, I think Lynbrook showed its trademark toughness and fared very well.”

Thirteen Lynbrook DPW trucks with snow plows attached were dispatched to help clear the roads in the advance of the lifting of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's travel ban at 7:30 on Monday morning, according to Village Clerk John Giordano.