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Long Beach digs out from first major snowstorm of '15

City's DPW crews out in force through Wednesday; no major flooding or incidents reported

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Twenty-four hours after the first major snowstorm of the year hit the New York area, one that forecasters had initially called unprecedented and "life-threatening," Long Beach's public works crews continued to work throughout Tuesday clearing local roads.

The city lifted its snow emergency at 5 p.m., a day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency that shut down roads and the Long Island Rail Road.

City officials and residents alike reported more than a foot of snow in Long Beach, and though a winter weather advisory remained in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday, all said they were grateful it was not the "historic" 20 to 30 inches initially predicted by forecasters.

Snow began falling early Monday morning as residents around Long Island braced for what was being forecasted as a record-breaking blizzard. As the storm came through the area, however, its impact failed to live up to speculation, dropping under a foot of snow in most of Nassau County as of Tuesday morning. Residents were forced off the roads and trains beginning at 11 p.m. Monday, as Cuomo enacted a full travel ban, the first of its kind. Cuomo lifted Nassau County's travel ban on Tuesday, the same day LIRR service resumed.

City Manager Jack Schnirman said that crews worked "round-the-clock" to clear city streets, starting with emergency routes such as Park Avenue, West Beech Street and Shore Road.

Salt spreaders were out before the snow, and after three inches had fallen, the city deployed its full fleet of plows and payloaders to clear hundreds of local roadways. Schnirman said that the Department of Public Works deployed 42 pieces of equipment and vehicles, while Cuomo sent additional vehicles and personnel to assist the city with its snow removal efforts.

"He sent a couple of trucks down here and it was a big help on Park Avenue," Schnirman said on Tuesday. "Our DPW guys are wrapping up a 30-hour operation, it was incredible, and they will be back out there again [Wednesday] morning in advance of the morning rush."

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