Suffolk's 911 System 'Inundated' With Non-Emergency Calls Related To Snow Removal, Utility Outages: Officials

YAPHANK, NY — Suffolk County's 911 dispatch centers have been inundated with calls related to local roads that need plowing, or requests for shoveling, officials said Tuesday in posts to social media.

Mother Nature dumped up to three feet of snow in some areas of the region Sunday into Monday, and as officials prepared for more snow on Wednesday, they posted gentle reminders to residents to refrain from calling 911 unless it is an emergency.

The police department was the first to raise the alarm.

"As a reminder, 911 is for emergencies only," the police department's post read on Facebook. "Do not call 911 for issues related to plowing, utility outages, and snow-covered vehicles."

The county's Office of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services also weighed in.

"Please remember: 9-1-1 is for emergencies," the post read. "Our 9-1-1- dispatch centers have been inundated with calls related to local roads that need plowing, or requests for shoveling. We ask to keep those lines clear for emergencies."

The office also thanked first responders for "working around the clock to keep Suffolk County safe."

"Thank you to our Fire, EMS, Dispatchers, Fire Rescue & Emergency Services personnel, Public Works crews, law enforcement partners, Deputy Fire Coordinators, Urban Search and Rescue Team, and all supporting agencies for your dedication and teamwork," the post read.

Residents can call their local townships regarding plowing on public roads, and PSEG regarding power outages.

More than 17,000 customers were left without power on Monday.

Suffolk's first responders logged in more than 1,000 calls for help Sunday into Monday, the county's Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services' commissioner, Rudy Sunderman, told Patch.

The calls were compiled from before the first snowflake dropped at 11 a.m. on Sunday until 2 p.m. on Monday at the county's Emergency Operations Center in Yaphank, which coordinates emergency response during large-scale events like the storm.

Police responded to 179 vehicle crashes, with 42 requiring emergency medical services or fire to respond.

There were 469 emergency medical services calls, and 360 fire calls.

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