Digging out from the blizzard

The dig out started at Margaret Agrippino-Petruzzo's house in Franklin Square.

Courtesy Margaret Agrippino-Petruzzo

Plows from both Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead have been out clearing roads in Franklin Square and Elmont.

Courtesy Heather Magone

An aerial view of Princeton Road in Franklin Square.

Courtesy Charles Nolan

The snow drifts reached over five feet in some areas.

Courtesy Trudy Max Mordhorst

Gianna Serio, a sophomore at Long Island Lutheran High School, has not let the snow keep her from practicing lacrosse at her house in Franklin Square.

Courtesy Kim Orsano-Serio

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Over two feet of snow blanketed most of Long Island this weekend and residents from Franklin Square and Elmont have just begun to emerge from their homes.

With the snow, came high winds which created snow drifts which reached nearly five feet according to some residents.

Now begins the digging out process as people need to clean off their cars, shovel their walkways, and plow their driveways.

Kids have been traveling throughout the neighborhood, offering their services with snow removal. Many people have been thankful that neighbors are helping each other dig out from the blizzard.

"I just wanted to take a second and say how proud I am to live in Franklin Square," said Valerie Pagano-Koches. "Neighbors came over with snowblowers to help my husband clear out our driveway."

Franklin Square resident Kim Orsano-Serio echoed Pagano-Koches sentiments about the people in town and how they respond after a storm.

"The shoveling is going well," she said. "We happen to have great neighbors and we all help each other out."

Mary Ann Ramiezl Devlin has been out clearing the snow since early this morning. The snow, she said, has been difficult to remove.

"There is just nowhere to put this stuff," she said.

Hempstead Town officials provided storm information on their website. They said that, due to the severe storm, sanitation customers who ordinarily receive back door garbage pick-up will be required to bring garbage to theit curb for collection on regularly scheduled pick-up days from Monday, Jan. 25 through Friday, Jan. 29. Regular back door pick-up will resume on Monday, Feb. 1.

Officials also noted that residents should report hazardous town road conditions online at www.toh.li/storm-response-form.

Please share your pictures of the snow with us. Email us at ssmirti@liherald.com. Also share some photos with us on our Facebook page, Franklin Square/Elmont Herald.

The Franklin Square Fire Department has offered some tips to say safe while shoveling snow.

Do some stretching and warm-ups before starting.

· Get a long-handled shovel designed for pushing the snow whenever possible, rather than lifting it. This will help you stand more upright and use your stronger leg muscles instead of stressing your back.

· If you must lift snow, use a short-handle shovel to keep the weight closer to your

body. This will allow you to use your leg muscles and keep your back as straight as possible. If you only have a long handled shovel, adjust your grip accordingly.

· Get as close as possible to the snow you’re shoveling - the further away you have to reach the greater the risk to your back.

· Take smaller amounts on the shovel, even if that makes the job longer.

· Do not twist and turn with the shovel loaded with snow. Move your feet and turn

your entire body in the direction you are tossing the snow.

· Watch out for protruding objects or uneven surfaces where you are shoveling to prevent an injury.