Rockville Centre’s cleanup effort continued on after a powerful nor’easter brought about 3 inches of rain, strong winds, flooding and numerous downed trees to the village over the weekend.
According to Weather Underground, the light rain and drizzle finally ended early in the morning of Sept. 29, with wind speeds diminishing to the single digits.
Meanwhile, village crews remained at work since addressing storm damage and clearing debris. Mayor Francis X. Murray said village crews worked continuously throughout the storm, which brought difficult conditions across Rockville Centre.
“Our crews worked around the clock throughout the nor'easter to protect our residents, respond to emergencies and keep our village moving,” Murray said in a texted statement. “I was out in the village alongside our crews throughout the storm, seeing firsthand the challenging conditions they were facing and the dedication they showed in keeping our community safe.”
Murray thanked the village Electric Department, Department of Public Works, Rockville Centre Fire Department, Rockville Centre Police Department and other first responders for their work during the storm.
The storm’s effects were felt throughout the village beginning on Sept. 26. A large tree fell from a property on Richmond Avenue near Hempstead Avenue, blocking the roadway and causing a power outage. Murray and village personnel, including Electric Department crews, responded as workers cleared the road and restored power.
The next day, village spokesperson Julie Grilli reported “numerous trees down in the village.” Department of Public Works and Electric Department crews worked around the clock to address storm-related damage and other problems. Despite the damage, Grilli said there were no reported power outages in the village that day.
Flooding was another major issue. Mill River overflowed during the storm, sending water into the outfield at Tighe Field and onto streets near the Mill River sports complex, just south of Sunrise Highway.
Early in the morning of Sept. 27, the Nassau County Traffic Management Center reported flooding on eastbound Sunrise Highway near Morris Avenue, where the left lane was blocked. The roadway was cleared in about an hour.
Gwynne Feiner, the other DPW co-director, announced that all of the village’s clay, grass and dirt fields were closed on Sept. 28 because they remained saturated and covered with debris and storm-related damage. Feiner said the closures were necessary because of concerns that the conditions could lead to injuries.
The storm also produced strong winds in the village. Wind speeds exceeded 30 mph Sunday morning, with gusts topping 50 mph around 9 a.m.
John Thorp, co-director of the DPW, said preparations began before the storm arrived, with village department heads meeting with Murray to coordinate the response.
“From preparing equipment and clearing roadways to removing downed trees and addressing drainage issues, our crews worked around the clock in difficult conditions and continued cleanup efforts today,” he said in a texted statement.
Thorp thanked DPW crews for their work throughout the storm and during the cleanup.
The nor’easter prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency for Long Island, New York City and Westchester County. Across Long Island, the storm brought widespread flooding, downed trees and power outages.
The storm also forced the postponement of the 39th annual Rockville Centre Community Fund Mayor’s Golf & Dinner Classic. The event has been rescheduled for Nov. 2.
