Riverhead Declares Snow Event

RIVERHEAD, NY — As Mother Nature sweeps through Riverhead with a snowstorm Saturday, town officials have declared a winter storm event across town.

The winter storm event was declared by Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter at 11 a.m. Saturday and will continue for 24 hours.

"The winter storm event is being declared due to weather conditions being forecasted and occurring such that the accumulation of snow, freezing rain, sleet, or ice on any roadway will render vehicle travel potentially hazardous and necessitate snow removal operation or such other remediation efforts to address a winter storm," Walter said.

During the winter storm event:

• No parking is permitted on either side of any roadway during the winter storm emergency declaration between the hours of 8 p.m., January 7, 2017, and 6 a.m., January 8, 2017.
• All Town of Riverhead departments can take whatever steps are necessary to protect life and property, and public infrastructure, and to perform other such emergency assistance as deemed necessary.

In addition, the town issued a weather and travel advisory.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning through 1:00 a.m. Sunday, town officials said.

"Snow has started and is expected to intensify later this morning. Heavy snow should last throughout the early afternoon with the possibility of one to two inches of snow per hour. Accumulations are expected to be somewhere between seven to 11 inches before tapering off late this evening.

"Western Suffolk County is predicted to be on the lower side of accumulations, while eastern Suffolk County will be on the higher. Winds will be ten to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain in the 20s.

"Traveling today will be hazardous due to heavy snowfall and windy conditions. Use extreme caution and reduce your speed, especially on secondary north-south roads and roads that are adjacent to open fields. Make sure that you have a charged cell phone and a winter storm survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and call the police."

The snow event, town officials said, will "help facilitate snow removal from the roadways. Plan now to remove your vehicle from the roadway as not to hamper plowing. Highway crews will be out working for the duration of the storm."

Riverhead Police are authorized to impound parked or abandoned vehicles that affect roadways during a snowstorm, police said.

Residents are asked not to shovel snow into the street, as doing so creates a hazard for neighbors and other motorists.

If there is a fire hydrant near a home, residents are asked to be sure it's visible and shoveled out.

Residents are also asked to check on neighbors, especially the elderly and homebound.

Pets should be brought inside or have shelter, officials said.

Business owners are asked to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of businesses or property, officials said.

In case of an emergency, residents are asked to dial 911 or call the Riverhead Police Department at 727-4500. "If you can, stay inside, stay warm, stay informed and as always, stay safe," officials said.

To report power outages, call PSEG at 1-800-490-0075.

"Remember the Ps of Preparedness: Have a Plan, Pack and Emergency Kit, and Pay Attention," officials said.

For winter safety tips, check:

FEMA

For winter safety tips visit:

FEMA

The National Weather Service

NYS Homeland Security

The American Red Cross