Blizzard winds down in East Meadow

Schools are closed for a second consecutive day in East Meadow due to the blizzard that swept through Long Island and the region. 

High winds remain in the forecast. Though precipitation is expected to end before the morning commute, blowing snow and drifts could be an issue.

The district made an announcement on its Web site on Wednesday night at 10:21 p.m. that schools would be closed once again on Thursday. After school activities will also be canceled.

The announcement that schools would be closed on Wednesday was made at 4 p.m. Tuesday, as forecasters predicted that more than a foot of snow would fall on the East Meadow area.
      
"What led us to make the early decision to close was the definitiveness of the weather alert and concern for many parents who would need to make child-care arrangements," said Louis DeAngelo, superintendent of schools.
     
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin called on Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday to extend the deadline for payment of property taxes by one week due to the storm. The deadline was Wednesday.
     
 "We do not want taxpayers getting into car accidents or hurting themselves by racing through blizzard conditions to pay their property taxes before the Feb. 10 deadline," Murray said in a press release. "By extending the deadline, the Governor can save lives and help taxpayers at the same time."