South Fork Under Snow Emergency

Update, 3:20 p.m.: Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman has declared a snow emergency, as did East Hampton Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. 

Originally, 2:46 p.m.: As the snow continues to fall on the South Fork, officials are telling residents to stay home.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell declared a snow emergency on Saturday at 2 p.m., as did Sag Harbor Village Mayor Sandra Schroeder Residents are being asked to refrain from unnecessary vehicular travel. The Village of East Hampton is expected to follow suit. Parking on public roadways is prohibited until further notice in both East Hampton Town and Sag Harbor Village.

"We urge everyone to stay off the roads," Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Austin McGuire said Saturday afternoon. 

The Town of Southampton had not declared a state of emergency as of 2:30 p.m., but Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said he did intend to do so shortly. Southampton Town police also urged drivers to stay off the road. In a statement, Sgt. Frederick Boese said the department had responded to numerous traffic accidents since 10 a.m.

Sergeant Boese said that weather forecast models show Southampton Town has the potential for up to 12 inches of snow.  "Blowing snow will decrease visibility and cause drifts, making roadways very difficult to navigate. Roadway surfaces are very slippery. Expect the eastern portion of the township to be hit the hardest," he said. 

The area is under a winter storm warning until Sunday at 1 a.m.

Several events around town this weekend have been canceled. Guild Hall canceled the Met Live screening this afternoon, but the Hamptons International Film Festival's Winter Classic screening of "To Kill A Mockingbird" is still on for Saturday night, as of now.