Editor's Note: Thank you to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for posting the following announcement:
The County Sheriff’s Office has actively engaged all assets in preparation for the arrival of the blizzard expected to hit Long Island with tremendous force this evening and throughout the overnight hours. Sworn personnel, emergency vehicles and inmate work crews all stand ready.
Suffolk Sheriff Vincent F. DeMarco stated, “This is a dangerous storm which will likely produce power outages, and since road travel will be very dangerous, residents should have a plan in place to stay warm and safe under these conditions.”
Sheriff DeMarco recommends that if you lose heat in your home, close off any unneeded rooms and plan to stay in one area. He added: “To retain heat as long as possible, place blankets or towels under doors and cover up all windows where heat could easily escape.”
Make sure to have a supply of food and drinks to supply energy and prevent dehydration, and keep faucets running on a slow drip if there is any danger of your water pipes freezing. The most vulnerable pipes are those that run through unheated crawl spaces or unprotected areas of the home. “By keeping the faucets slightly turned on, you may be able to prevent your water from freezing, which can happen to exposed pipes under these extreme weather conditions,” DeMarco advised.
He also advised residents to take safety precautions following the storm as well. “With this type of storm, it will take some time to clear the roads. Stay safe by staying off the roads and indoors until the plows have fully cleared the roadways.”
