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Cops: Winter storm has downed power lines, tree branches across Southold

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Update 1 p.m.: Southold Highway crews are working hard to clear the fast-falling snow, Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando said. But the snow keeps coming.

“We have to replow because it’s still snowing,” he said. “But it’s a wet snow, so it’s cleaning up nice. We got out early with sand and salt, so it’s coming up nice.”

Mr. Orlando said the roads are “still slippery” and advised residents to stay indoors.

Southold Town police said there have been no accidents in town so far, though officers have had to respond to fallen power wires and tree limbs being snapped by the heaviness of the snow.

“People need to be careful driving because things are falling out of the sky,” Mr. Orlando said.

The National Weather Service is now warning snowfall totals could reach up to a foot in some areas.

Update 11 a.m.: According to forecasts from the National Weather Service, between 5 and 10 inches could fall on our area by the time Friday’s snowstorm is through.

The projected snowfall total has been steadily rising as the storm makes its way across the East End. Official snowfall totals have not been updated since earlier this morning, when 2 inches were recorded in Mattituck and 1.7 inches in Baiting Hollow.

Update 10:45 a.m. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning, in effect from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

And “moderate to heavy” snow may be coming. As of 8 p.m., forecasters are predicting 5 to 8 inches of accumulation, along with wind gusts of up to 35 mph.

Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando said highway crews have been sanding and salting the roads since early this morning and will begin plowing later today.

He described road conditions as “very slippery” and is cautioning drivers to stay off them.

“If you don’t have to go out, then please don’t,” he said. “If you do, please drive slowly.”

Greenport Village administrator Paul Pallas said drivers are encouraged to stay off the slushy roads and to remove their vehicles from streets so workers can better plow the roads.

“We’re keeping up with it,” he said. “It’s not as bad as the last storm.”


Click here to see a full list of school closings and other delays.


Original story: Southold could be in for a “messy commute” Friday morning.

The National Weather Service is forecasting about 2 inches of snow for our area Thursday night into Friday.

Rain will first hit the North Fork between 6 and 8 p.m., changing over into snow during the overnight, said NWS meteorologist Carlie Buccola. The snow should continue until about noon.

“It does look like it’ll be a messy commute,” Ms. Buccola said. “It’ll be a wet snow.”

However, the rest of the weekend looks clear, she said. Temperatures should rise into the mid 40s by Saturday, with a sunny forecast for Sunday.

Photo credit: Katharine Schroeder