Officials warn against travel during blizzard, governor declares state of emergency in downstate counties

The National Weather Service updated forecast this afternoon predicts the coastal storm now approaching the region will dump 11 to 17 inches of snow in eastern Suffolk County.

A blizzard warning remains in effect from 7 p.m. today through 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Blizzard conditions are expected Saturday morning into early Saturday afternoon, the weather service said. Snow fall rates may be around 2 inches per hour Saturday morning.

With north winds of 32 to 38 mph gusting to 55-60 mph, whiteout conditions are likely at times, the weather service said.

Travel will be extremely difficult to impossible and officials are urging residents to avoid non-emergency travel tomorrow.

Gov. Kathy Hochul today declared a state of emergency effective at 8 p.m. tonight for Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties and the five boroughs of New York City.

Hochul urged New Yorkers to stay off the roads this weekend and allow emergency response crews to work safely.

The Long Island Rail Road will suspend service on all branches, the governor said in a press release this afternoon. Speed reductions and truck restrictions will be in place starting tonight on the Long Island Expressway and parkways.

“If you must travel, have a flashlight, cellphone, blanket, snacks and water with you, give yourself plenty of extra time and reduce your speed,” Riverhead Police said in a weather and travel advisory.

Vehicles should not be parked in the streets, the town said. A snow emergency will be declared in Riverhead Town. Vehicles parked on town streets during the storm may be towed at the owners expense.

High winds are expected to create difficult conditions for town highway crews, who will have to work to keep roads clear of drifting snow, Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski said.

Zaleski said he expects crews will be plowing the main roads all night in an effort to keep them passable as the storm bears down on the area.

“Please stay home and let us do our job,” Zaleski said.

Motorists who venture out in a storm like this will very likely become stuck, putting themselves as risk and posing a hazard to plow trucks.

Zaleski asked residents to be patient as the snow ends tomorrow and remain at home. “The main main roads are our priority,” he said.

Highway crews will assist emergency vehicles that need to enter developments and side streets, he said.

First responders spent time today getting their own vehicles and equipment prepped in advance of the storm.

“We’ve started prepping our saws and other equipment,” Jamesport Fire Chief Duffy Griffiths said this afternoon. “We’ve got our high water rescue truck front and center. We have all our tucks prepped and in good working order,” Griffiths said.

Crews will be on standby at headquarters overnight and tomorrow, prepared to respond to any calls that come in during the storm.

Firefighters and EMS personnel will be on standby at their headquarters overnight and tomorrow in Wading River and Riverhead as well.

Keep your pets indoors during freezing temperatures and winter storms. If left unattended outdoors they can get frostbite or become disorientated and freeze to death, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said. Always remember babies and seniors are more sensitive to extreme temperatures just like humans, the organization said. Be sure to wipe your pets’ feet and undercarriage thoroughly to avoid ingestion of rock salt, antifreeze, or other toxic chemicals.

In case of an emergency, dial 911 or call the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500.

Report power outages to PSEG-LI and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454).

To report a downed wire, call PSEG-LI’s 24-hour electric service number at 800-490-0075 or call 911. Remember to treat all downed wires as live — stay at least 30 feet away, and do not drive over or stand near them.

Visit PSEG-LI’s MyPower map for outage information, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island.

A gale warning has been posted for the Long Island Sound for Saturday, with 3 to 5 foot seas and wind gusts to 45 kts. expected.

A coastal flood advisory is in effect from 3 to 1 a.m. Saturday, with 1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable north shore communities of the twin forks and along for the Saturday morning high tide.