Storm clean up underway in the Five Towns

Saturday's storm gave way to a sunny Sunday that set up a day of digging out from about two feet of snow that fell on the Five Towns.

In Cedarhurst, Mayor Benjamin Weinstock is asking residents shoveling out their driveways and cleaning off their vehicles not to toss the snow into the roadways. "We have plows out now cleaning up and we will have full crew again this evening to continue that process and to salt the roads as a precaution against icing," Weinstock said.

He is also reminding residents that driving and walking tonight will likely be dangerous and black ice may become a problem. Avoid going out and be extra careful if you do.

"Thanks for the many compliments we received at Village Hall about the snow clearing we accomplished in the village, "Weinstock said in a notice to residents.

"Everyone woke up to beautifully cleared roads, many curb-to-curb."

Mayor George Pappas said there was no flooding in Atlantic Beach, but parts of Inwood were flooded, including Bayswater Boulevard. No water damage to homes was reported. Pappas said 27 inches of snow fell in his village.

Village of Lawrence Deputy Administrator Gerry Castro said despite the high winds and snow drifts on Saturday, "It's not bad," as Highway Department crews are out plowing. Castro said there was flooding in the "usual areas" near the marina.

Hewlett-Woodmere and Lawrence schools are open Monday. The Crossroads School for Child Development in Inwood is closed.

In spite of the snowstorm, a top 5 for Long Islanders according to meteorologists, Dani Grunstein made his way to synagogue yesterday. "Despite the shivering and blustering blizzard, I trudged my way to shul [Saturday morning], through the several inches of accumulating snow on the ground," said the 16-year-old junior who attends Mesivta Ateres Yaakov and lives in Woodmere.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino said that that town has deployed town snow clearing crews to plow town Long Island Rail Road train parking lots.The South Shore LIRR line encompasses high volume ridership, and the town is pushing to open up as many parking spaces as possible for Monday's commute. Additionally, town snow plows are continuing to clear roadways.

"[I thank] the town's snow removal team, whose members have tirelessly battled deep snow, high winds, constant snow drifts and white out conditions for an extended period of time," Santino said.

The supervisor also appreciated the residents for their patience and assistance, and asked for their help in preventing road flooding as the snow begins to melt by clearing snow from storm drains in front of their homes.

However, according to reports, the LIRR sustained "significant damage" and will be running modified service on Monday, but the Far Rockaway branch is not operating.

"There's a lot of work to do to get the trains moving in the yards as well as getting the stations ready for passengers," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a Sunday morning news conference.

Cuomo credited the imposed travel on the Long Island Expressway and Northern State Parkway with giving "the emergency crews a chance to work," he said in a tweet on Saturday that helped to clear those roads. The ban was lifted at 7 a.m. On closed roads, only authorized emergency and hazard vehicles and critical healthcare personnel will be permitted.

Woodsburgh Mayor Lee Israel called the Herald to report he was driving plow truck No. 2 on Saturday and said: “We are staying with ahead of the snow and the village streets are clear. It’s the weekend and the streets are deserted; so we can get out there and do what we need to do to keep people safe."

If you are shoveling snow are are some tips from the Snow and Ice Management Association.Stay on top of the snow. We aren't suggesting that you make snow angels but when there's heavy snow, the best advice is to stay ahead of the storm. SIMA recommends that you clear the snow every few inches instead of waiting for the snow to stop falling.

Layer it up. Wear loose layers of clothing so you can peal a layer off if you get hot. Avoid wearing wool or man-made material because they don't allow perspiration to evaporate--better choices are cotton and silk. And when it comes to footwear, waterproof boots with good traction will help ensure that you don't slip and fall. They aren't pretty but they are critical to preventing a fall.

Push, don't lift. Sounds like something a high school wrestling coach might say, but if you push the snow to the side rather than trying to lift the snow, you exert less energy, thereby placing less stress on your body.

Do an exercise warm-up. Although you aren't running a marathon, shoveling snow is exercise. So warm up before you start with some simple stretches that engage your entire body--especially your arms, legs and back. Drink plenty of water and take breaks when you need them.