How The Town Of Smithtown Is Preparing For The Snowstorm

TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — Long Island will likely soon be covered in a white blanket.

The Town of Smithtown is expected to experience somewhere between 6 and 13 inches of snow and 50 mph wind gusts during the impending winter storm, as a storm warning will be in effect from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday. The heaviest snow, mixed with sleet, is expected to begin to fall Wednesday night. Residents are urged to avoid travel at that time.

The Smithtown township is preparing for the storm on multiple fronts, including the cleanup process, reporting power outages and contact information for those in need of further assistance.

Public Safety

The Smithtown Department of Public Safety will be staffing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and coordinating efforts with Suffolk County and PSEG in the event of power outages. Public Safety is urging residents to stay off of the roads, which allows for highway crews to clear more efficiently and lessens the potential for crashes. Residents are asked to use "extreme caution" if they must travel, and are recommended to do so with a winter survival kit. In the event of being stranded, residents should stay with their car and call authorities. All inquiries that don't involve one's life being threatened can be directed to the department of public safety at 631-360-7553.

Road Preparations and Snow Cleanup

Superintendent of Highways Robert Murphy reports crews have begun preparing for the snowstorm. The fleet has been outfitted with plows and spreaders for snow removal. Starting Wednesday afternoon, crews will start applying a beet juice brine to roads to prevent icing. Highway crews are also stocked with 7,500 tons of salt and sand.

Before the storm arrives, highway crews are out removing brush from curbs. Residents should remove any remaining brush or leaf bags from the street before it begins snowing. Residents should park in driveways if possible so the roads can be plowed more efficiently.

To report icing and other issues related to conditions along the roads, contact the highway
department at 631-360-7500.

Post-Storm Safety

When plowing driveways, residents are asked to be mindful and not block fire hydrants with snow mounds. Public safety and Smithtown fire marshals have noted that residents using generators should take a moment to confirm that the exhaust is facing outwards and at least 20 feet away from a building. This can protect loved ones from CO poisoning and can prevent fire caused by generators that are incorrectly positioned.

Power Outages and PSEG Information: View PSEG Long Island’s outage map.

To report and receive status updates on an outage, text OUT to PSEGLI (773454). To report an
outage online, visit the PSEG LI website. To register, have your account number available and text REG to PSEGLI (773454).

Downed wires should always be considered "live." Do not approach or drive over a downed line,
and do not touch anything contacting the wire. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s
24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075.

Elderly Neighbors & Special Needs Individuals

Residents are asked to check on neighbors with disabilities, special needs or those who are senior citizens. Make sure they have an emergency phone, plenty of water, food and blankets. Ask if they have someone to call in the event of an emergency. If help is needed, contact the Office for People with Disabilities at 631-360-7642.

Animals & Family Pets

All pets should remain indoors during freezing temperatures, with the exception of allowing dogs to venture out briefly to go to the bathroom. Outdoor animals should be sheltered indoors during the storm. To report animals in distress, strays or other loose domestic or wild animals, call 631-360-7575.

Useful Numbers

• Stranded Vehicles: If there is an emergency, dial 911 immediately. All calls related to situations that are not life-threatening can be directed to the Department of Public Safety at 631-360-7553.
• Suffolk 311: Suffolk County 311 is a central call center available to residents who do not know which number to call for any non-emergency. Residents can reach the 311 line Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or leave messages after hours.
• Animals & Family Pets: To report animals in distress, strays or other loose domestic or wild animals, call 631-360-7575.
• Elderly Neighbors & Special Needs individuals: For assistance with elderly or special needs individuals, contact the Office for People with Disabilities at 631-360-7642.