A Snow Emergency has been declared in the Town of Huntington, Supervisor Frank Petrone announced later Friday afternoon.
The declaration allows the supervisor to close roads, appropriate equipment and make necessary purchases without following the usual procedures. It also allows for gear and personnel to be available to assist Highway Department crews.
Petrone also opened the Town’s Emergency Operations Center at 2 p.m. to help coordinate communications among departments, as well as fire and rescue services. Representatives from several Town departments with key emergency responsibilities were told to report to the center, in the Town's general services facility on Pulaski Road in Huntington Station, according to a Town press release.
“The Town has been preparing for this storm for several days, and I hope that all residents have been, too,” Supervisor Petrone said. “With predictions of high winds and heavy now, the best place for residents is in their homes. At the same time, residents should feel confident that the Town is working hard to make roads passable and provide necessary services."
Petrone urged residents to stay off the roads and get cars off the street to make plowing more successful and to allow for emergency vehicle access.
In addition to the Town's snow emergency, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) has declared a State of Emergency for all of New York.
Among the town programs cancelled are Friday’s DJ Night at the Dix Hills Ice Rink, Saturday’s morning’s group skating lessons and the afternoon public skating sessions. Also cancelled are creative arts programs at Lahey Elementary School, Southdown Elementary School, Silas Wood School and Signal Hill School; Saturday recreation programs for the developmentally disabled at Maplewood School; and the Friday night Pickle Ball program at Coindre Hall. The Coindre Hall Gym will be closed on Friday and Saturday.
The Recycling Center on New York Avenue will be closed on Saturday.
HART Bus paratransit service will not operate tomorrow, Saturday February 9. Scheduled HART bus service is suspended until noon on Saturday. A decision about whether service will resume in the afternoon will be made in the morning.
Persons who want to report a downed tree blocking a road should call the Highway Hotline at 499-0444. For emergencies, call the Public Safety Department at 271-2157 or 271-6573.
