Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, orchestrated a teleconference with members of the press at 3 PM today, in order to efficiently keep the public informed regarding the latest updates of the dangerous Nor’easter, expected to hit us early morning Tuesday. During the call, County Executive Bellone went over the latest updates in both the storm’s trajectory and his coordinated efforts with State & local municipalities in addition to all emergency response counterparts.
An update from the National Weather Service at 5 PM stated that Suffolk County will be along the Southern edge of the storm. Bellone classified this Nor’Easter as a “significant weather event” with wind gusts up to 60 MPH and at least a foot of snowfall. He cautioned that as the storm moves closer, it is a possibility that the path of the storm can move one way or the other, erring on the side of caution not to take any chances. A State of Emergency has been issued for New York State, in effect as of Midnight tonight.
Preparations for Winter Storm Stella:
The Winter Storm Stella nor’easter is expected to arrive around 3 AM Tuesday morning, where it has the potential to undergo bombogenesis as it moves northward along the coast through Tuesday. County preparations have been underway for over a week in anticipation of this treacherous storm. Whiteout conditions are expected during the morning commute. County Executive Bellone has cautioned all residents to stay home and off the roads, unless it is an absolute emergency.
During Winter Storm Stella:
The County is at the center of all coordinated efforts between local, state, emergency response management, disaster relief groups like the Red Cross, transit departments and all highway departments including independent snow plows. Bellone has coordinated with the Governor, to get an additional 50 heavy duty trucks to plow Suffolk’s 1600 county road lane miles. The County is stocked with 17,000 tons of salt, 170 pieces of major snow removal equipment with plow support from additional private contractors. All snow plows and emergency response vehicles have been fueled and inspected to ensure efficient roadside response and snow removal on County roads.
Emergency Numbers & Real Time Updates Information:
- It will be hard for anyone to move in treacherous conditions, including snow plowers. It’s important that people avoid traveling tomorrow unless they absolutely have to.
- The Suffolk County Government Home Page will turn into emergency page at 5 PM tonight. Check the home page for important numbers, Government Services closures, Transit suspensions and other vital information needed as the storm progresses.
- Anyone in need of temporary shelter should call the County emergency line at 631-854 9100
- The County has begun adding additional 911 phone responders in anticipation of high caller volume. However, please only use 911 for life threatening emergencies. All other calls should be directed to the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management.
- The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management phone line is available 24 Hours a day at: 631-852-4900
- Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alerts from the Code RED emergency update system. To Sign up Visit the Suffolk County Government website
- The Suffolk County Emergency Operations Center will activate tomorrow morning at 5:00AM and will be staffed with all pertinent emergency response personnel throughout the duration of the storm.
- For a list of Shelters (Including Special Needs and Pet Friendly Shelters) in the event of flooding or other emergencies please Click Here or Visit the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management online
- In person Shelter Assistance is available at the Smithtown Service Centers from 8am – 3pm, Monday to Friday:
Smithtown Center is located at 200 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, New York 11788 or call : (631) 853-8714
- Currently All Public, Private and Colloquial Schools in the Smithtown area are closed tomorrow. All government offices, with the exception of Emergency Management are closed on Tuesday.
- Coastal flooding is a concern for low-lying areas (like the ones most impacted by Hurricane Sandy) Erosion is a big concern, that the County will be paying close attention to, during and in the aftermath of Winter Storm Stella.
Important Phone Numbers:
Suffolk County Emergency Operations Center: 631-852-4900
Non-emergency Police calls: 631-852-COPS
Shelter Assistance – Dept of Social Services: 631-854-9100
PSEG LI: 1-800-490-0075 or text power outages to: OUT to PSEGLI (773454) *Must be registered
Additional outage information can be found at the PSEG LI website at www.psegliny.com