Town Of Hempstead Preps For ‘Perfect Storm’

SEAFORD, NY —Town of Hempstead officials are urging residents to stay inside during the snow storm and to secure their cars away from public roadways that will be plowed by the Highway Department during the cleanup efforts.

Town Supervisor Don Clavin said the town is undertaking a massive snow removal plan, incorporating more than 400 pieces of equipment and over 40,000 tons of salt to be distributed over 1,200 miles of town roadways and over 120 town parking lots.

“This ‘perfect storm’ of heavy snow, sub-freezing temperatures and high winds has the potential to create very hazardous road conditions and power outages across our township,” stated Clavin in a news release. “The Town of Hempstead is strongly urging residents to prepare early for the storm and hunker down once it begins. Please, stay indoors and off the roads, and let our Snow Response Team do what it does best.”

More from Patch:

• Monster Nor’easter to Dump Up To 2 Feet Of Snow

Town Councilman Christopher Carini (R-Seaford) also encouraged residents to stay off the roads as conditions are expected to worsen throughout the storm. He said officials are expecting high snow falls and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, so “driving will be hazardous.” Instead, Carini said residents should shelter inside and park their cars in driveways off main roads so cleanup crews can plow.

“Hempstead Town’s dedicated workforce is prepared to help America’s largest township during the storm,” Carini said. “They will be out in force to make sure our 1,200 miles of roads are clear.”

Carini credited the Civil Service Employees Association Local 880 workers with keeping the town moving during what he described as a “difficult year, ensuring” sanitation pickup, highway maintenance, park and beach operations, and many of the town’s other services “continued despite many obstacles.”

“I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of our workers,” he said.

Clavin urged residents to stock up on go-to items like “milk, bread, eggs” and other essentials in preparation for the storm which could dump up to two feet of snow. Clavin also asked residents check in on elderly family members and neighbors prior to the storm.

Clavin also offered the following tips to help residents prepare for the storm:

• Make sure you have food, medications and any other essential supplies for a few days in the event you are snowed-in.

• Keep flashlights and batteries close by.

• Have a first-aid kit for emergencies.

• Keep shovels, scrapers and rock salt in an accessible area.

• Remove cars from roadways once snow starts to allow plows to more safely and efficiently clear roads.

• Bring pets indoors.

• Never leave candles or flames unattended.

• Check the batteries on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Fill your vehicles’ gas tanks before the storm begins.

• If you go shopping in-person for essentials, remember to take COVID-19 safety precautions at stores by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

• Avoid all travel if possible, but be sure your vehicle contains emergency kit of necessities such as jumper cables, a phone charge, a shovel, an ice scraper, a first-aid kit, blankets, warm clothes and water.

• In case the power or heating system goes out in your home, ensure access to warm clothes, coats and blankets during the frigid temperatures.

Important Contacts To Have:

• Town of Hempstead - (516) 489-5000

General – www.Hempsteadny.gov

Storm Response – https://hempsteadtown.com/storm/
Storm Updates – https://hempsteadny.gov/winter-storm-updates

• Nassau County Office of Emergency Management

(516) 573-9600
www.nassaucountyny.gov

• PSEG Long Island

(800) 490-0075 (Report Outages)
(800) 490-0025
Text “OUT” to 773454 to report outages or visit www.psegliny.com/outages
www.psegliny.com

• National Grid

(800) 930-5003

(800) 490-0045

• Nassau County Police

(516) 573-8800

• American Red Cross

(516) 747-3500
www.redcross.org/local/new-york/greater-new-york