Powerful winter storm hits Long Beach

As predicted, a powerful winter storm rolled into Long Beach after midnight on Thursday morning, bringing with it snow, frigid temperatures and heavy winds.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for the Long Beach area as well as other parts of New York with estimated wind gusts of up to 30 to 50 mph. The predicted snowfall for Long Beach is between five and nine inches, according to the NWS, and the temperature could drop to as low as -5 degrees, with the wind chill factored in.

The Long Beach school district announced on Wednesday that all schools would be closed on Thursday.

Long Beach firefighters said a water main broke in the West End near Virginia Ave. Wednesday night, and that a snow standby is in effect.

City Council President Anthony Eramo said on Wednesday that he’s mostly concerned about power going out because of the wind gusts, and pipes freezing due to extremely low temperatures. He urged residents to open cabinet doors to expose pipes to the heat and keep one faucet running with a slight cold drip to create water movement and prevent freezing.

The city deployed about 10 trucks to sand and salt the roads to make conditions safer for residents, Eramo said, adding that an additional 61 pieces of equipment, including plows and payloaders, would be making sure streets are passable.

City crews were out in force Thursday making sure that Park Avenue, Broadway, West Beech Street and the LIRR parking area is passable. Sanitation pickup would go forward as planned and City Hall and the Recreation Center would remain open with bus service running as scheduled, the city posted on its website.

Regular bus service is suspended until 4 p.m., the city posted on its website, and paratransit is canceled for the day while alternate side parking is suspended. Additionally, the Atlantic Beach Bridge closure scheduled for Friday has been canceled.

City officials encouraged residents to tie down or bring in outdoor furnishings, and secure or bring in any outdoor construction materials. All Youth and Family Services programs, including Sandbox, were canceled for Thursday. The Magnolia Day Care and Senior Community Center plans to reopen on Monday after a broken water pipe caused it to close on Tuesday.

“Make sure your neighbors are safe,” Eramo said on Wednesday, encouraging residents to check on vulnerable populations.

City officials recommended that residents check the city’s website for snow preparedness information and updates.

Long Beach resident Liz Treston, who was instrumental in launching Long Beach Community Organizations Active in Disasters, an organization that aims to help residents after natural disasters, said her main concern is the dropping temperatures.

“Temperatures are going to become brutal,” Treston said. “The snow’s not going to melt anytime soon.”

She said she was also concerned about residents losing heat or electricity, as well as freezing pipes and possible flooding.

“If you’re able to, you could help shovel in front of the houses that are empty for safe passage for other people,” she said, adding that emergency phone numbers should be kept handy.

Long Beach resident Christopher Larson was concerned about vehicles blocking city crews as they try to clear the roads.

“If you’re not a first responder, doctor, nurse or involved with public works and clearing the snow, all you’re doing is risking others’ well being when first responders are tied up, when you get stuck in snow, or some other shenanigans, when you should be off the roads,” he posted on Facebook on Thursday. “Emergency vehicles are having to take longer routes and divert around stuck cars making response times longer.”