Long Beach cleanup crews respond to blizzard

The city's cleanup crews are out in force this morning, clearing streets of the first significant snowfall of the season. Street maintenance crews have been working throughout the night, operating snow-removal vehicles and salt and sand spreaders. Plowing began when 3 inches of snow accumulated, and the blizzard, which is forecast to continue until 1 p.m., is expected to dump a total of 8 to 12 inches in many areas, with a total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Meanwhile, a coastal flood warning remained in effect through 11 a.m.

"High winds are the great challenge, as snow is plowed in some areas, it blows right back, making roads slippery," said city spokesman Gordon Tepper. "This morning's focus is for commuters, making Park Avenue, West Beech and the LIRR parking area as safe as possible."

The city's snow emergency remains in effect; canceled all child care and holiday care programs today, as well as all Magnolia Senior Center Programs. City Hall and the Rec Center are open today. The LIRR, meanwhile, was operating on a weekend schedule, and the city said that its buses were running today. There were no reports of any major emergencies during the storm. Still, the city and county coordinated resources to keep the Long Beach Bridge accessible to ambulances and other emergency vehicles, especially since Long Beach Medical Center remains closed.

Long Beach declared a snow emergency yesterday in anticipation of the storm. In order to assist in the removal of snow and ice, certain roadways must remain open to ensure the safety of the public, officials said, and declared a number of roadways snow emergency routes. Parking is prohibited on those routes. Many residents said that the streets were virtually empty this morning.

The following roadways have been declared snow emergency routes and are being cleared of vehicles and snow in the following order:

•W. Beech St. between New York Ave. and Nevada St.

•West Park Ave. between New York Ave. and Nevada St.

•West side of Maryland Ave. between Beech St. and Park Ave.

•Shore Rd. between Long Beach Rd. and Pacific Blvd.

•E. Pine St. between Neptune Blvd. and Curly St.

•Park Place north of Park Ave.