State of emergency delcared in Rockville Centre

Plows have been working to clear Rockville Centre streets since the early morning on Saturday. They will continue working throughout the storm, and after, to clear the 53 miles of roadways in the village.

Laura Schofer/Herald

Snow blanketed Rockville Centre Saturday as the first storm of the winter continued to bear down on Long Island.

Laura Schofer/Herald

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The first storm of the season continued to bear down on Rockville Centre on Saturday, dumping nearly a foot of snow on the village as the day progresses.

In Rockville Centre, Mayor Francis X. Murray declared a state of emergency. Village residents must remove their cars from roadways so plows can pass to remove the continuous snow. The village said that any vehicle that is impeding public safety will be ticketed and towed.

Early in the afternoon, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all roads in New York City and Long Island were closed. Residents are advised to stay in their homes unless it is an emergency.

Power outages are a possibility with the heavy snow and high winds that the storm is bringing. Residents should report any outages by calling the Electric Department at 766-5800. Resident should never go near any downed wires.

Plows from the Department of Public Works will be out all day to clear roads, though a thorough plowing won't be able to be done until after the storm abates.

If residents begin to clear snow from their homes, they should not clear it back into the street. Shovel or blow all snow onto lawns. Residents and business owners must clear all snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of the storm passing.