The first major snow storm has arrived and has proven extremely dangerous. The nor’easter will last through Sunday and promises to bring many treacherous conditions. Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone has declared a State of Emergency, urging Suffolk County residents to stay inside. The white out has made driving an unnecessary risk. Power outages are likely and emergency responders are ready to assist residents. Smithtown Today has listed pertinent information should an emergency arise as well as tips to stay safe in the first Blizzard of 2016.
Town Operations – Roads and Emergency Management
Acting Highway Superintendent Robert Murphy is working overtime today, to assure the roads stay salted and plowed throughout the duration of the blizzard. A fully stocked arsenal of plowing, salting and sanding trucks are already out and working to keep the roads safe. If residents haven’t already done so, please remove vehicles, basketball hoops, garbage pails etc. off the curbsides and into driveways. This will speed up the snow removal process and will avoid backbreaking efforts to get cars free of the snow mounds.
To report dangerous conditions like fallen trees, down power lines or stranded vehicles, call public safety’s Emergency management number at (631) 360-7553 (Chief John Valentine Department Director)
Power Loss:
- Report it: If you lose power, report it to PSE&G first and foremost. Hopefully, you’ve kept your cell phone charged and call in the outage to: 800-490-0075. You can also register your cell phone with PSE&G LI by texting REG to 773454. Once your cell phone is registered, report power outages by texting OUT to 773454.You can also view current power outages by Clicking HERE
- Preserve Heat: Seal off parts of the home not in use by rolling a towel under doors to keep the draft out. Insulate windows by duct taping the frames or openings.
- Core Body Temperature: Eat several small meals to throughout the storm to keep your core body temperature warm. Tip: Drink ginger tea or eat the root raw to naturally increase your body temperature.
- Emergency Fix: If you do not have a generator or a fireplace, keep warm by placing either a candle or a small catering sterno inside one terracotta pot, placing a second pot on top. This is a quick fix in an emergency when your fingers are numb. Never leave a lit flame unattended.
- Work Together: Cuddle up with the family under blankets and keep eachother warm. Or make a tent with blankets and broomsticks and keep warm together while telling ghost stories. Your kids will feel safe and might actually have fun!
Pets
- Bring all outdoor pets inside during the duration of the blizzard. Even the most cunning of creatures can not survive longer than an hour in a nor’easter of these proportions.
- Check the paws of your pets for salt debris after a walk outside. Gently clean paw pads afterwards to prevent salt poison.
- If you see a stranded animal, call the Hauppauge based SPCA Emergency Animal Response Team at 631-382-7722. Give the poor animal shelter inside a garage or basement, while waiting for authorities to arrive. Just think… if your pet was lost in a storm, wouldn’t you wish someone would help him?
Communicate
Stay informed via social media. Let family and friends know you are okay throughout the Blizzard and vice versa.
Useful Social Media Pages: Check local government updates on twitter and facebook.
County Executive Steve Bellone has announced constant updates via his Facebook Page.
Suffolk County Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services has posted vital announcements via their Twitter Page
Legislator Leslie Kennedy has included emergency and non-emergency phone numbers to call on her facebook page in addition to providing useful updates.
Useful Phone Numbers:
- In case of emergency, dial 911. For police-related non-emergencies: (631) 852-COPS
- Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management: (631) 852-4900
- To report a power outage: Call 1-800-490-0075 or text OUT to PSEGLI (773454)
- Suffolk County’s Temporary Housing Assistance Unit: (631) 854-9547.
- Suffolk County Department of Social Services Home Energy Assistance Program: (631) 853-8820
- Department of Social Services Emergency Services Unit (available weekends and after-hours): (631) 854-9100