More than 100 hundred residents were without power Monday as thehistoric Blizzard of 2026dumped nearly two feet of snow on the North Fork and battered the region with winds gusting up to 60 mph.
Orient has seen the most snow on the North Fork so far, with22 inches of accumulation,according to the National Weather Service. Snowfall totals have not yet been confirmed in other communities.
PSEG Long Island said the storm has downed trees, branches and wires, and is currently affecting 15,118 of 1.2 million customers across Long Island and the Rockaways. Over 5,000 customers have had power restored so far.
There arecurrently two reported outagesin Greenport affecting 55 customers. There are three reported outages in Southold affecting 25 customers, and three outages in Mattituck, affecting 41.
Highway crews have been working nonstop through the storm to make some headway on clearing the roads. Suffolk County issued a travel ban effective until noon on Monday. An extension is possible.
“The conditions are horrible,” said Highway Superintendent Dan Goodwin. “This was a very strong storm, and we have been at it nonstop, but it looks like we never did a thing.”
Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski declared a State of Emergency until 6 p.m. Monday. Greenport issued a blizzard warning, calling for the removal of all vehicles on the street until 6 p.m. Monday.
The Cross Sound Ferry canceled all departures on Monday due to the storm. The Long Island Railroad suspended all service as of 1 a.m. Monday.
“I just urge everyone to stay home; this is not a matter of inconvenience,” said Mr. Goodwin. “We have equipment stuck trying to clear the roads. If they aren’t passable for us, they certainly are not clear for anyone else.”
Southold, Greenport, Mattituck-Cutchogue and Oysterponds schools are closed due to the weather.
Source: The Suffolk Times
