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Wind, foot of snow cause dangerous road conditions across the North Fork

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | Wind blows the snow around at Founders Landing.

While the storm that brought a foot of snow to the North Fork Sunday has stopped, the wind that is blowing it all around and making driving conditions particularly dangerous continues to roar.

Wind gusts are still being recorded at as much as 47 miles per hour in Mattituck Monday morning, where temperatures are in just the mid-20s. The windy conditions are expected to remain steady until tomorrow morning, where sunny weather is predicted and temperatures are expected to rise above freezing.

Southold officials are urging drivers who do not have to leave their home to stay put today, as the plows continue to clear area streets.

Southold Town police closed closed down Soundview Avenue in Southold just west of Town Beach because of the erosion to the sound bluff near the roadway., according to Capt. Martin Flatley.

Capt. Flatley said the only major problems caused by the storm has been the flood high tides.

“Most low lying areas were under water this morning at high tide and probably will be again at
the next high tide between 3 and 4:30 pm depending where you are,” Capt. Flatley wrote in an e-mail.

The storm also led to a delayed opening at Southold Town Hall, which will open its doors at noon.

Residents and vacationers looking to leave Southold today may need to make other plans. The Long Island Rail Road has suspended systemwide service indefinitely and all area airports are expected to remain closed until 4 p.m.

The storm also caused some power outages in Southold, where about 25 residents were still without power at 9 a.m., according to the Long Island Power Authority. But that is the fewest reported outages of any Long Island township other than Shelter Island.

The snow fell for nearly 24 hours Sunday into Monday, eclipsing the 10-inch mark around midnight in Orient, according to the National Weather Service.

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