Stay Off 'Extremely Dangerous' Roads During Storm: Supervisor

SOUTHOLD, NY — With snow expected to fall across the North Fork through Friday, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell urged residents to stay off the roads.

"We are just heading into the heavy part of the snow," he said Thursday afternoon. Although no major storm-related incidents had been reported yet, "As it progresses, we obviously expect that to change," Russell said.

The highway department was out plowing the side streets Thursday and will continue to do so as the snow falls throughout the afternoon and evening, Russell said.

"While we typically get less snow than what is forecast up west, it presents a real danger," the supervisor said. "Wet snow and freezing rain will make the roads extremely dangerous. We have had several weather events and the ground simply can’t absorb more water. We can plow snow. We can’t plow water."

With flooding, the roads will freeze over as the temperature drops, he said. "It is extremely important that people not drive," Russell said. "Not just for their own safety but for those of the first responders who respond to emergencies."

Southold town government closed as of 2 p.m. Thursday. "We will be on a wait-and-see approach as we assess conditions toward the morning to determine if a delayed opening is necessary tomorrow," Russell said.

All board, committee, and commission meetings scheduled for Thursday were canceled and will be rescheduled.