Blustering through the big blow

Well over a foot of snow fell in Baldwin Saturday, as a blizzard continued to slam the region. Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned travel on Long Island, and train service came to an end.

The National Weather Service, reporting snowfall totals, said that Baldwin was hit with 16.5 inches of the white stuff by 3:30 p.m. That number could rise.

According to the weather service, snow and strong winds were causing considerable blowing and drifting and near zero visibility locally.

Cuomo ordered the shutdown of state roads, including the Long Island Expressway and Northern State Parkway until 7 a.m. Cuomo, who has declared a state of emergency for the entire downstate region, also addressed in a news conference mounting concerns about coastal flooding Saturday evening night.

The MTA was to decide by 6 a.m. when to restart train and bus service.

As blizzard conditions continue to plow into the region, the weather service warned motorists against driving, noting that the wind was expected to turn north overnight at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts about 40 mph.

The weather service’s blizzard warning for Long Island is expected to last through 7 a.m. on Sunday.

Snow accumulations of 18 to 24 inches are predicted before the storm ends Sunday.

Nassau County police also were urging motorists to stay off the roads. In an advisory issued today, the department said, "Nassau County is experiencing icy road conditions along with high winds, which is causing minor accidents and spin outs."

Meanwhile, PSEG reported scattered power outages across Long Island, but none in Baldwin. The utility said in a 10 p.m. Saturday briefing that 504 of its 1.1 million customers on Long Island and the Rockaways were without power. To report downed power lines or outages, call 800-490-0075. Monitor the outages at the utility's website, www.psegliny.com/c.cfm/Outage.

The temperature was expected to drop to 18 overnight, and wind chill values were expected to be between 5 and 10.