Riverhead Town Police are warning motorists that all north-south roadways and Sound Avenue east of Roanoke are impassible due to snow drifts created by continuing strong winds.
Blowing snow is creating whiteout conditions, Riverhead Town Police Chief David Hegermiller said this morning.
“Please, please stay off the roads until later in the day,” Hegermiller said. “Travel is dangerous.”
Multiple disabled vehicles, many of them abandoned, are blocking roads, creating hazards for motorists who are unable to see the stuck vehicles due to whiteout conditions. There was at least one report of a vehicle crashing into an abandoned vehicle stuck in a drift this morning. The crash occurred on Osborn Avenue north of Reeves at about 6:15 a.m.
Stuck and abandoned vehicles are also impeding snow-plowing operations, Hegermiller said.
Police units are struggling to keep up with requests for assistance from disabled motorists this morning, battling drifting snow and icy winds.
Road conditions are changing rapidly, police said. Residents are asked to stay off the roads until the town can get the disabled vehicles removed and the roads cleared.
Road closures this morning: Sound Avenue, east of Roanoke, Roanoke Avenue from Green Tree Drive to Reeves Avenue, Horton Avenue from Sound Avenue to Reeves Avenue, Reeves Avenue from Roanoke to Horton, Herricks Lane from Sound Avenue to SR 25, Church Lane from Sound Avenue to Tuthills Lane, Peconic Bay Boulevard east of South Jamesport Avenue, Twomey Avenue from Sound Avenue to Youngs Avenue and Hulse Landing Road from Sound Avenue to SR25A.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for our area through 10 a.m. due to windy conditions.
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