Update: Emergency Operations Center in Southampton Now Closed

While municipal operations from Southampton Town Hall to local libraries are closed as a result of the blizzard, the Southampton Emergency Operations Center was running at full pelt. As of noon, however, the operation has shut down.

According to Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, EOC operations were no longer needed.

"By noon today everything was under control," she said.

Throne-Holst said the highway department, however, is still working to clear the roadways of snow and ice.

"We have been plowing through the night and continue to plow today. The roads are very icy and there are high winds with snow drifts," she said.

Throne-Holst said residents have done a good job listening to cautions about driving conditions and have, for the most part, stayed off the roads, making the highway department's job easier.

"There are not a whole lot of cars on the roads and the highway department has been able to do a great job."

The job-well done, however, did not come without some trouble, said Throne-Holst.

"A few payloaders broke down and we will have to look at repair costs."

Back at work tomorrow, Throne-Holst said she will be examining the storm's cost to the town.

"It's hard to say what the cost is now.  We will have to evaulate over-time costs," said Throne-Holst.

Overall, Throne-Holst said there were no major issues to report as a result of the blizzard.

"There were some power outages, but there was no need for evacuation centers."

The town's Emergency Operations Center fielded many of the outage calls as well as calls regarding some fender-benders, according to Lieutenant Robert Iberger of the Southampton Police Department.

"We have a couple power outages and we were a bit busier earlier today as people got out to go to work," he said.

According to the National Weather Service, a blizzard warning is still in effect until 6:00 p.m. with snow showers expected to tapper off after 3:00 p.m.  Wind gusts as high as 55 mph will continue throughout the day.

Southampton Councilman Chris Nuzzi, who is home with his family today, urged residents to continue to stay off the roads for safety reasons and so the highway department can do its job.

"I will say people that don't have to travel best not to. Take advantage of the day," said Nuzzi.

Aside from the highway department out at work, Nuzzi said the town's parks and waste management divisions are busy clearing snow from around municipal buildings.

"It has been quite the storm to end the year out," said Nuzzi.