‘Snowpocalypse' grips Long Beach

The city’s public works crews are working to keep pace with yet another winter storm, city officials said. The city declared a snow emergency on Thursday to allow for proper snow removal operations throughout the city.

“Roads are slushy this morning, so please be careful and leave yourself extra time to get to work, and stay off the roads if possible this morning during the heaviest snowfall,” said city spokesman Gordon Tepper.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. on Friday, with 10 to 16 inches of snow expected to accumulate in Long Beach -- up from the previously forecasted 6 to 10 inches earlier today -- along with traces of ice, according to the National Weather Service. Snow will change to sleet and rain later today and through the evening, before changing back to snow tonight. The snow is expected to taper off after midnight. The Weather Service also issued a high surf advisory, saying that the storm could bring minor beach erosion and coastal flooding during high tide.

Those who live on snow emergency routes are being advised to move their vehicles. The following snow emergency routes are cleared of vehicles and snow in the following order when an official snow emergency is declared:

West Beech Street between New York Avenue and Nevada Street. West Park Avenue between New York Avenue and Nevada Street. The west side of Maryland Avenue between Beech Street and Park Avenue. Shore Road between Long Beach Road and Maple Boulevard.

East Pine Street between Neptune Boulevard and Curly Street. Park Place north of Park Avenue.

The city said that as the snow changes to rain later today, crews will be clearing storm drains to prevent them from clogging and potentially flooding streets.

As always, the city is reminding residents to call 911 in case of an emergency, and if power goes out, to call the PSEG-LI Hotline at (800) 490-0025.

A number of residents said they had seen plows along their streets this morning. “The plows have been down my street at least 15 times and down the side streets too,” Michelle Kalina Levine told the Herald on Facebook. “Think [they're] doing a great job in the Westholme area.”

“Plow coming down West End street every 15 minutes or so,” reported Michigan Street resident John McNally.

Others noted the icy conditions left over from the last snowstorm, and how parked cars that were buried under piles of snow caused headaches for motorists trying to get out. A number of residents said they weren’t looking forward to trying to dig out their cars again or dealing with parking.

“We watch for the plow, then we move the cars so they can clean up the snow,” Kalina Levine said. “That’s what most of my neighbors do.”