Island Park readies for storm, closes schools on Feb. 9

Island Park schools will be closed on Thursday in anticipation of a wintry storm that is expected to begin hitting Long Island late Wednesday night.

"...Due to the impending snow storm, schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 9," Schools Superintendent Rosmarie Bovino posted on the district's Facebook page. "We plan to open on Friday morning at the usual time; however, we will not have early morning before-school activities.

"Our two high schools will be closed as well tomorrow," she continued. "There will be no bus service to private and parochial or BOCES schools."

All of Long Island is under a Winter Storm Watch from the late night on Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Thursday evening, Feb. 9, as a low-pressure front moves through the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration says to expect heavy snow that could fall at one to two inches per hour, with visibility at less than a quarter-mile to a half-mile.

Expect winds out of the north to blow at 15 to 20 miles per hour, with the strongest gusts up to 35 mph.

Near-blizzard conditions are possible along the coastline, with snow blowing and drifting. Temperatures will range in the high 20s to low 30s.

John F. Kennedy International Airport is likely to see eight to 12 inches of snow. The South Shore area just south of Farmingdale could receive six to eight inches.

Snowfall amounts are uncertain, however, according to the National Weather Service. Expect a minimum of three inches.

Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty said Wednesday that the village's Department of Public Works had begun getting the plows and salt mix ready for Thursday morning.

McGinty added that he would be visiting Island Park Schools Superintendent Rosmary Bovino to check if the schools needed any assistance in preparing for the snow. He also said he would be in contact with PSEG Long Island and National Grid throughout the course of the storm.

McGinty urged residents to call Village Hall at (516) 431-0600 to report any problems during the anticipated storm.   

Throughout the Town of Hempstead, crews are pretreating streets south of Sunrise with brine, a snow-melting solution. They will apply rock salt to the rest of the town, have plows ready and are clearing storm drains. The town has 400 pieces of equipment and 4,500 tons of salt ready to treat roads and parking lots.

At a news conference at the Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department, Supervisor Anthony Santino said that the storm will likely reach its peak during the morning rush hour. He advised people to avoid driving as much as possible and said that he expects most area schools to be closed. "If you can, stay home with your kids and binge-watch their favorite Netflix show," he said.

Nassau County’s Department of Public Works has begun pre-treating roads with brine to prevent black ice from forming.

“Nassau County is helping to ensure residents have a safe commute by brining main County roadways, bridges and overpasses to prevent black ice,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “DPW is at the ready to plow and salt county roadways. Our Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the storm and has put assets in place to assist residents should the need arise.”


Ben Strack contributed to this story.