New East Hampton Supe, 3rd Day On Job, Declares Snow Emergency

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Only the third day on the job, and newly inaugurated East Hampton Town Supervisor has declared a snow emergency.

Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc issued the declaration as of 9 a.m. Thursday, "due to the deteriorating conditions, high winds, and heavy snow," expected in East Hampton, with 45 mph hour winds and snowfall of 1 to 2 inches an hour predicted.

"It looks like this could be potentially a very major event. Everyone should stay off the roads. All non-essential services of the town have been cancelled," Van Scoyoc said.

Highway personnel are out on the roads, "trying to do the best they can to keep up with the storm. For their safety and the safety of the public, please stay off the roads."

Van Scoyoc said there are some "who like to see nature's fury in full force. But they can see it very well from their windows."

So far, the supervisor said, there have been no reports of power outages or accidents. Van Scoyoc will be participating in an islandwide call with PSEG and town officials this afternoon; he has a hot line number to directly communicate with PSEG in case of emergency, he said.

In addition, Van Scoyoc said he's been in contact with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as local East Hampton Police and the Highway Department Superintendent Stephen Lynch.

Even former East Hampton Supervisor Larry Cantwell reached out to make sure Van Scoyoc had some important information, he said.

"I told him, 'Third day on the job and I've declared my first state of emergency. I guess the honeymoon is over,'" he said.

But in truth, as former deputy supervisor, it's not the first snow emergency Van Scoyoc has handled. Back in 2015, East Hampton got hit with more than 30 inches of snow and Cantwell, who'd been away, couldn't get back because all flights were canceled, so he declared the state of emergency.

"I've been through this drill before," Van Scoyoc said. "We got through that just fine. We're very fortunate to have people here who know how to deal with these situations. We work together — and we get the job done."

Lynch, meanwhile, took to social media to urge residents to take heed.

"Travel conditions are very treacherous at this time," he said. "Visibility is very poor and most everything is closed. Please stay off the roads so the people can get the job done and clear them. Please give us 5 to 6 hours after the storm has stopped before venturing out to give us time to clear everything. We need to get the roads plowed and pushed way back because temperatures are going down to 6 degrees on Saturday."

Patch courtesy photo.