North Fork Storm Updates: Shelter Volunteers on Standby, Should Midnight High Tide Force Evacuations

With Mother Nature expected to send a blast of winter to the North Fork Saturday, here’s a list of up-to-the minute news, cancellations, closings and updates — everything you need to know to get through the storm safely.

• Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said while town shelters are not currently open, volunteers remain on standby, “and can open them on a moment’s notice.” The town continues to monitor conditions, Russell said. The supervisor and other town officials were out Saturday evening as conditions worsened. “Most side roads are barely passable with virtually no visibility.” As the night progresses and the wind shifts, and high tide comes in around midnight, we would anticipate opening shelters if there is a need to order evacuations,” he said.
• The Southold Town transfer station will have a delayed opening on Sunday, with a slated time of noon.
• Southold Town Supervisor said while road conditions are “tough,” the snow is light and easy to plow. Of the approximately 364 power outages in town, Russell said most are in the area of the town beach.
• Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said his decision regarding a state of emergency is still to come. Russell said as the wind picks up, conditions will be re-evaluated but no declaration has yet been made.
• Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell has announced that all Southold Town facilities will be closed and activities canceled for tomorrow, Saturday, January 23. This includes the closure of the landfill, which will reopen at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
• Greenport Village officials have said, with a blizzard warning in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday through noon on Sunday, residents are asked to remove vehicles from the street, giving crews the ability to commence safely with cleanup. In addition, residents are asked to check in on elderly or infirm neighbors and to keep off the roads on Saturday.
• The Southold School District will be closed Saturday and Sunday. All activities are canceled.
  
• Due to the impending storm, Peconic Landing is canceling the Job Fair scheduled for Saturday. The fair has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The Southold Free Library has canceled a CPR class slated for Saturday.\
• The U.S. Coast Guard is urging mariners and the coastal public to prepare for Winter Storm Jonas, as it is expected to heavily impact the New York area this weekend. “Regardless of the amount of snow that may fall, high winds and low visibility will likely make operating in the harbor very dangerous this weekend,” said Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Meyer, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Station New York. “We will maintain our normal 24/7 response posture for search and rescue situations but inclement weather conditions can slow down our response and put our crews in danger.” Gale and storm warnings have been issued with potentially damaging winds reaching 40 knots expected the first half of the weekend, with gusts up to 55 knots. Seas could swell up to 18 feet. Areas affected include Montauk Point to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, out 20 nautical miles offshore including Long Island Sound, the Long Island Bays and New York Harbor. “Please take extra care in securing your vessel as high wind events can result in damage to moored vessels or vessels breaking free and going adrift,” said Meyer. “Also, remember that heavy snow or ice accumulation on your vessel will negatively influence its stability making capsizing much more likely than it would be under normal conditions. That combined with high winds and rough seas makes for a very hazardous scenario.” A mixture of rain, snow and sleet will result in near zero visibility and boaters are urged to seek safe harbor until the storm has passed.