Tuesday will be a day for digging out after a massive blizzard left nearly two feet of snow in its wake across the local area Monday.
Tropical storm-force winds created 10-foot drifts in some areas of Riverhead, rendering many roads impassable. Vehicles, including plow trucks, were stuck in deep snow all over town overnight and early Monday morning.
Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski called the situation created by snow falling at rates of two to three inches per hour, combined with high winds and blowing snow —a classic recipe for whiteout conditions — “absolute chaos.”
A travel ban remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Roads, while open and passable, are narrowed in some places and travel will remain difficult. Slow down and use extra caution.
Schools and town government offices in Riverhead will be closed again Tuesday. Municipal trash collection is canceled. See closings and cancellations.
Snow totals reported by the National Weather Service (in inches):
Montauk 28.1
Orient 26.5
Southampton 24
Mattituck 23
Flanders 23
Riverhead 22.5
Riverhead 19.7
Jamesport 16.6
WInd speeds across Suffolk ranged from nearly 50 mph to 84 mph in Montauk.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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