Coastal flooding occurs in Sea Cliff due to storm

Updated: 1:45 p.m. Thursday: As predicted, a powerful winter storm rolled into the greater metropolitan area after midnight on Thursday morning, bringing with it snow, frigid temperatures and heavy winds.

The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning and a Coastal Flood Advisory for Nassau County on Thursday morning. It is expected to last through Friday morning.

Mayor Edward Lieberman reported that high tides caused large waves to flood Shore Road in Sea Cliff, while wind gusts and flooding caused debris to wash up on Laurel Avenue.

"We have eight trucks out [plowing the roads] operated by ten personnel plus a mechanic," Lieberman said of the village's snow removal efforts. "The wind is causing snow drifts to cover the streets where trucks have already plowed."

"We want the village to recognize the cold temperatures that are expected ... and to stay in and stay warm," village administrator Bruce Kennedy said. "Cars should be removed from the streets so that they can be plowed."

The extreme cold will be worrisome, according to the NWS. The temperature could drop to as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and as low as -5 degrees, with the wind chill factored in. Winds could gust to as high as 40 miles per hour.

Most parts of Nassau County are expected to receive five to eight inches of snow when all is said and done, with localized totals as high as 10 inches, while Suffolk could see up to 14 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Due to the heavy snow, all North Shore Schools were closed for Thursday, Jan 4. All activities will also be cancelled.

North Shore Superintendent Dr. Peter Giarrizzo presented Viking nation with an inaugural "Snow Day Challenge" via the school's website. He asked students to busy themselves on the snowy day by creating one of the Seven Wonders of the World out of legos, drawings, or the snow itself.