Community Corner

Update: Whiteout Conditions Cause Power Outages and Numerous Accidents

Southampton police urge residents to stay home.

As the snow storm comes to an end, The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reports that scores of homes scattered throughout Southampton Town are still experiencing outages; however, the 648 customers that were without power near Stewart Avenue in Hampton Bays now have their power back.

LIPA was able to restore power to the majority of the Hampton Bays' residents that were experiencing problems by midnight.

Aside from Hampton Bays, there are still outages in Westhampton and East Quogue, where nearly 78 homes are without power. Some five customers are without power near Shinnecock Hills; 10 on Millstone Brook Road; 20 near Sag Harbor and a few others elsewhere throughout town.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police are asking residents not to venture out.

"Please keep off the roadways," said Captain Anthony Tenaglia, of the .  "Cars on the road impede the snow plows. It causes more problems."

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Despite earlier warnings, some motorists took to the icy streets and found themselves in fender-benders.

According to Tenaglia, there have been about 24 car accidents since the snow first hit. He hopes there aren't any more. "Hopefully, people will listen and stay off the roads," he said.

Aside from responding to car accidents, Tenaglia said police have been coordinating with local fire departments to transport emergency personnel, such as nurses, to work at .

Police have also been on the scene where wires have come down due to windy conditions.

"We are pretty fortunate," Tenaglia said. "There haven't been any major problems. We haven't had to open any shelters. All in all, we are doing pretty good."

Aside from causing power outages, the weather has also forced the Long Island Rail Road to suspend its service temporarily until it can get its switch heaters up and running.

The storm is expected to continue through the night with a blizzard warning in effect until Monday at 6 p.m. Snow accumulations are expected to reach between 11 and 16 inches.

A is in effect for southeast Suffolk between 10 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday.


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