Long Beach likely to declare snow emergency

The city announced Sunday that it will likely declare a snow emergency on Monday, in anticipation of what weather forecasters are calling a "crippling and potentially historic" blizzard expected to drop up to 3 feet of snow on the area. As of Sunday evening, the Long Beach School District had yet to announce any closures, delays or early dismissals on its website.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning on Sunday, which is in effect from 1 p.m. Monday through midnight on Tuesday.

The agency is calling for heavy, blowing snow with whiteout and high-wind conditions and accumulations of 20 to 30 inches, with higher amounts in some areas. The storm will pack 30-  to-40-mph winds, with gusts of 55 to 65 mph.

The National Weather Service also issued a coastal flood watch, saying that moderate coastal flooding could hit the area Monday night into early Tuesday morning during high tide.

Light snow will begin Monday morning, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches by the evening rush, and picking up intensity Monday evening. The heaviest snow and strongest winds will hit between midnight Monday and Tuesday afternoon, with "life-threatening conditions" and extremely dangerous travel with whiteout conditions, in which visibiltity will be a quarter-mile or less at times.

The storm will likely cause many roads to become impassable and may down power lines and tree limbs. The National Weather Service is advising motorists not to travel, and informing drivers to carry a winter survival kit, and to stay with their vehicles if stranded. Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday that the Long Island Rail Road and Long Island Expressway may be shut down before the Monday evening commute.

"We are anticipating a significant snowfall beginning Monday evening," the city said in a statement on its website. "It is very likely that a snow emergency will be declared by the city. As always, we encourage all residents to take the necessary precautions."

According to the city, even as Long Beach recovers from Superstorm Sandy, street maintenance crews are fully prepared for winter storms, with snow removal vehicles and salt and sand spreaders ready to go when snow starts to fall.