Update, Monday, 7:45 a.m.: As heavy snow continues to fall, Suffolk County has extended a travel ban, originally in effect through 9 a.m., until noon on Monday, “with the possibility of further extension, depending on the storm’s evolution and impact.”
East Hampton Town has extended its travel ban through 9 p.m. Monday.
In an early morning Facebook post on Monday, Town Highway Superintendent Stephen Lynch urged residents to stay off the roads.
“About a foot of snow" remains on the roads, he wrote, explaining that his plow drivers needed to be taken off the roads because it was too dangerous.
”Visibility is almost zero. We got over a foot of snow in the last two hours. Trucks are getting stuck all over. So, the roads are very icy, do not try to go out and drive your car," he wrote.
“We've been plowing all night, and it just keeps filling back in. We're doing the best we can with what we have to work with. And I appreciate everybody being patient. Thank you and stay safe," he added.
More than 14,000 people were without power across Long Island as of 7:45 a.m., including over 2,700 in East Hampton Town, according to PSEG.
Update, Sunday, 4:30 p.m.: The East Hampton and Sag Harbor School Districts, which had been planning a day of remote learning Monday, instead will be closed for a traditional snow day, as "the New York State commissioner of education just announced," the Sag Harbor district wrote, that schools "will receive a waiver for tomorrow, February 23."
On Saturday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said 100 members of the National Guard were activated, and utility workers are on standby across the state for expected response, repair, and restoration efforts.
In the town, the state of emergency allows the Highway Department to "take all necessary actions to monitor and maintain road conditions" and authorizes the Police Department to remove any vehicles that interfere with snow removal or emergency operations.
Non-emergency issues should be reported to the town police at 631-537-7575.
Sunday, 1 p.m.: Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has issued a travel ban for the county for 9 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday. "The ban does not apply to essential workers and plow operators," a release said.
The impending snowstorm, with accumulation totals of 15 to 20 inches possible and wind gusts up to 65 miles per hour on the East End, has also prompted Sag Harbor Village to declare a state of emergency for "reasonably anticipated problems with snow removal and other storm-related work," according to a release, which adds that "there shall be no parking on the streets of the village" for the duration of the state of emergency.
Saturday, 9 p.m.: East Hampton Town officials declared a state of emergency today ahead of the snowstorm's expected start tomorrow, with a Suffolk County blizzard warning now in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. Monday. The state of emergency goes into effect at 6 a.m. Sunday.
Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez has asked residents to stay home and off the roads as much as possible to avoid the blizzard conditions — snow that could reach 17 inches and wind gusts of up to 49 miles per hour.
Town offices, recycling centers, human services programs, and the Montauk Playhouse will all be closed on Monday. The state of emergency will remain in effect for five days.
Friday evening: Suffolk County issued a coastal flood watch for southeast Suffolk for Sunday evening through late Sunday night, with "one and a half to two and a half feet of inundation above ground level possible in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline," according to a release.
Originally, Friday, 4:15 p.m.: The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services has issued a winter storm watch in effect Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.
Total snow accumulation could be between 10 and 13 inches, with winds gusting as high as 45 miles per hour. Blizzard conditions may be possible. Wind gusts and blowing snow may make visibility low and travel difficult.
The East Hampton School District is monitoring the storm and considering a day of remote learning.
This information will be updated as more becomes available.
