LIE to remain closed until 8 a.m.

Officials announced this morning that the Long Island Expressway will remain closed in both directions until 8 a.m., limiting traffic to emergency personnel.

The LIE was closed to traffic at midnight, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced, in preparation of a snowstorm expected to dump anywhere from five to nine inches of snow Thursday night into Friday morning.

The LIE was originally closed until at least 5 a.m. and a decision to reopen the highway was made between 3:30 and 4 a.m., Mr. Cuomo said.

Mr. Cuomo said a state-wide state of emergency has been declared and he urged residents to stay off the roads.

In Riverhead, highway superintendent Gio Woodson said his crews are ready for the storm. Click here to read more.