Powerful winter storm slams Wantagh-Seaford with blizzard-like conditions; school districts cancel classes

Residents urged to stay indoors

Posted

Updated: 12:05 p.m. Thursday: As predicted, a powerful winter storm rolled into the greater metropolitan area after midnight on Thursday morning, bringing with it snow, frigid temperatures and heavy winds.

The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning and a Coastal Flood Advisory for Nassau County on Thursday morning. It is expected to last through Friday morning.

Most parts of Nassau County are predicted to receive up to eight inches of snow when all is said and done, with localized totals as high as 10 inches, while Suffolk could see up to 14 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Weather forecasters had warned that the storm system could shift off its current track. If it were to have veered farther east, into the Atlantic, snow totals would have been smaller. It, however, stayed farther to the west, bringing greater snow amounts across Long Island.

The Seaford and Levittown school districts began canceling classes Wednesday night for Thursday. Wantagh schools canceled early Thursday morning.

The extreme cold will be worrisome on Thursday, according to the NWS. The temperature could drop to as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and as low as -5 degrees, later in the day, with the wind chill factored in. Winds could gust to as high as 40 to 50 miles per hour.

State Sen. John Brooks, a Democrat from Seaford, said residents in Wantagh and Seaford should remain inside and stay off the road.

“I’ve been a firefighter for nearly 50 years, so I think it’s important to clear fire hydrants in front of your house in case of an emergency during the storm,” he said.

Brooks, who represents the 8th Senate District, which encompasses parts of Baldwin, Baldwin Harbor, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, North Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh, also advised elderly folks and people who aren’t active to refrain from shoveling and wait for plows to clear the roadways.

“We need to be aware of the wind and any trees that may be coming down,” he said. “We will continue to monitor the storm in the next few days, especially since it will be exceptionally cold afterwards and dangerous to be outside if you’re not covered.”

“It’s the kind of snow that will create ice and pack up on the highways,” he added. “We just need to be smart and check in on seniors and people who are homebound. Don’t use alternate heating sources because it can cause terrible fires. Pets should remain inside too. The best idea is to wait this one out and then see what we can do tomorrow.”

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, a Republican from Wantagh, said that neighbors and pets should remain indoors until the storm has passed.

“I strongly urge all residents to exercise extreme caution, and avoid the roadways if possible,” she said. “Town snow removal crews will be working hard to clear local roadways during this snowstorm. Please remove your car from the street so that plows may pass.”

Sweeny said that the tax forum, scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Wantagh Public Library is canceled due to weather conditions and will be rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m.

More as the story develops.