LIRR Train Stuck In Snowbank, Rt. 48 Flooded: Police Chief

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town was hit hard by Thursday's fierce storm, with flooding closing a portion of Route 48 and a Long Island Rail Road train reportedly stuck in a snowbank east of Mattituck.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon.

According to Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, the LIRR train was stuck in the snow in the Mattituck area; while he was unsure if passengers were on the train, he said there were no reports of injury. He said the MTA was sending out someone out to assess the situation.

Sarah Armaghan, LIRR spokesperson, said the 12:42 p.m. train from Ronkonkoma to Greenport was delayed when it encountered a snowdrift east of Mattituck. There were 10 passengers onboard; the train had functioning power, heat and lights and was able to proceed and finish its route to Greenport, she said.

Also, Flatley said, a portion of Route 48 between Boisseau Ave. in Southold and Chapel Lane in Greenport was closed due to flooding at Hashamomuck Cove. There was flooding and water damage by Albertson Lane in Greenport, Flatley said.

"The water made its way through the houses during the exceptionally high tide. There was 2 feet of water across Rt. 48, as well as debris from the Long Island Sound," Flatley said. "We had to close it down until the tide went out."

The road was salted and has been reopened, Flatley said.

Russell said about 264 homes are without power in Southold Town; PSEG said power should be restored by 7 p.m., he said.

"Based on the debris carried in by the waves, I have to assume that there's damage to bulkheads and other structures along the Sound," Russell said.

No serious accidents have been reported, Flatley added. "Everyone has been really good about staying off the roads," he said.

Southold Town highway crews have been out keeping the community safe.

According to Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando, crews spent all day Wednesday preparing, mixing sand/salt and loading the sanders for a faster response time during Thursday's "fast moving storm."

The town, he said, received 1,000 cubic yards of sand over the past 2 days and 300 cubic yards of salt in the last 2 days, as well.

Orlando said he had not heard of any accidents but there were 2 early morning home rescue calls; the highway department hurried to assist in clearing the roads for first responders.

Flooding was also reported in the parking lot of town beach, Orlando said.