Dealing with the blizzard

The Nassau County Office of Emergency Management Center has issued an updated forecast. They are now expecting over a foot of snow, closer to the 14 to 18 inch range. Winds are expected to be out of the north east at 30 to 40MPH with gusts up to 55 MPH. The storm surge is expected to be between 2-4 feet above high tide.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has activated the county's non-emergency phone number. This number is for non-emergencies (downed trees, stranded cars, etc.) The number is (800) 315-5153. If there is an emergency dial 911.

Local warming centers will be open all weekend. There is one located at Nickerson Beach Park on Lido Boulevard in Lido Beach. It will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (516) 571-7700 for information. The other near by warming center is at Grant Park at Broadway and Sheridan Avenue in Hewlett. It will be open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call (516) 571-7821 for information.

The Oceanside Fire Department reports:

The Chiefs Office continues to monitor the weather forecast and prepare the Department for whatever comes our way. The Department will be placed on standby in the firehouses as of 0800 tomorrow morning. We urge all residents to prepare for upwards of a foot of snow, high winds and flooding from late tonight through Sunday morning. It is imperative that cars be removed from the streets to allow plows and emergency vehicles access. If you have a fire hydrant near your home PLEASE clear 3 feet in all directions around it, this simple act can make all the difference in the world in the event of a fire. Do not drive into flooded areas or enter flooded basements and ALWAYS stay clear of down power lines. For all NON LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES please call the Nassau County Hotline at 1800-315-5153.The Hotline is activated as of 8:00pm on January 22nd and will remain through the duration of the storm.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino declared a state of emergency that goes into effect at 11 p.m. on Friday.

The town will be cancelling all Parks Department and ANCHOR programs and registrations starting tomorrow, Saturday, Jan.23 through Sunday, Jan. 24.

Additionally, town Civil Service exams scheduled for Saturday are cancelled and will be rescheduled. A Monday, meeting of the Town Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC) has been cancelled. Further, Hempstead Town’s Department of Senior Enrichment programs and transportation will be cancelled for Monday, as well.

“The town’s snow team is ready to work to ensure that our roadways are safe and clear,” said Santino. “I am declaring a State of Emergency, requesting that all cars be removed from roadways, and I urge all motorists to limit travel to emergency situations.”

The town is requesting that homeowners remove cars from roadways so that town snow removal crews can effectively and efficiently salt and plow streets.

“We will be doing our part to keep neighbors safe and roads clear,” Santino said. “Residents can help by removing cars from roadways and by making sure that snow that is shoveled or blown from walkways and driveways remains on resident’s property. Under no circumstances should snow be placed onto public roadways."

Mayor Michael McGinty said Island Park Village will be ready to help in an emergency. He gave out three phone numbers to call:

Two for Village Hall:
(516) 431-0600
(516) 431-0601

One to reach the Mayor:
(516) 815-5326

McGinty asked these numbers only be used in an emergency.

The Island Park Fire Department is fully prepared for the pending storm.

Chiefs Edward Madden and James Sarro said they will be ready for what ever the weather brings:

"With the help of the Department of Public Works, all vehicles and tools have been fueled and prepared for snow. We will put in service a high axle vehicle to conduct patrols and/or rescues if needed. Our water rescue team is also prepared and will be ready for deployment.

Depending on the severity of the storm, the Island Park Fire Department will operate in "standby" mode which means we will have a fully staffed headquarters which will expedite the response to our neighbors and community.

We do ask that all garbage cans and anything that could become a hazard in high winds be put away."

PSEG said it is ready for the storm.

While snow and wind normally don't pose a serious problem for the electric system, icing on power lines and trees can increase the possibility of downed wires and power outages. With the expected conditions it could be difficult for our crews to get around, but they will be standing by, ready to restore power in the event of any outages as safely and quickly as possible.

We will also have additional personnel on hand, including tree crews, to assist our own skilled workforce.

STAY IN TOUCH

We're available 24/7 by phone and online:

•Electric emergency number: 1-800-490-0075

•Our mobile-friendly Outage Center and Outage Map will have the most up-to-date information you might need when the storm hits

•Sign up now for MyAlerts so you can report a power outage with a text message and receive status updates by text or email. Register by texting REG to PSEGLI (773454) or with My Account

Like PSEG Long Island on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates before, during and after the storm — but please do not report a power outage through social media.

SAFETY TIPS

•Make sure everyone in the family is prepared and knows what to do if there is an emergency.

•Watch our YouTube videos on how to prepare your family and how power is restored at our online Outage Center

NEVER use a shovel to clear snow from utility meters — use a broom.

BE PREPARED

Charge all mobile phones, tablets and other handheld devices in advance of the storm. Have cash on hand in case banks are closed or inaccessible. And prepare an emergency kit that includes:

•Flashlights and extra fresh batteries

•A battery powered radio

•A back-up battery pack to charge cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices

•A first-aid kit

•Bottled water, non-perishable food and a manual can opener

•Extra blankets and sleeping bags

 Nassau County offers the following checklist:

Property Owners:

1. Do not plow snow across the road or shovel snow from your driveway onto shoulders or roadways.

2. Do not pile snow high near intersections or driveways obstructing others’ vision; Park vehicles away from the road and follow local parking ordinances related to snow removal.

3. Keep rocks, timbers, fences, basketball hoops, garbage bins, reflectors and other items away from the road.

4. Keep areas around mailboxes clear in order to assist in safe mail delivery and to help prevent damage to mailboxes.

5. Maintaining the end of your driveway could decrease chances of getting plowed in, or having your mailbox damaged. 

6. Keep sidewalks and pathways clear for pedestrians.

Children: 

1. Never build snow forts, make tunnels, or play in ditches or snow banks by the road.

2. Stay away from the edge of the roadway as you wait for the school bus, get the mail, or watch the snow plow.

3. Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snow plow is approaching.

4. Keep sleds and toys away from the roadways at all times.

5. Remember, the plow driver can’t always see you.

Drivers should use extra precautions on the roads especially when driving near trucks that are plowing and salting.

1. Don’t attempt to pass a snow plow vehicle while they are plowing.
2. NEVER attempt to pass a snow plow on the right. Many plows are equipped with wings that weigh as much as a small compact car.
3. Plows can suddenly move sideways from hitting drifts or by cutting through packed snow. 
4. Plow drivers have limited visibility and they cannot see directly behind their trucks.
5. Improve visibility by clearing all snow and ice from the entire car – hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, tail lights, headlights, windows, mirrors and fender wells. 
6. Driving with headlights on low-beam provides better road illumination in snow and fog than using high-beams.

Families should be prepared. Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan:

1. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Choose an out-of-area friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family becomes separated.

2. Make sure everyone knows how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency medical services phone number. 

3. Have disaster supplies on hand. Shop before the storm.

Home Emergency Supplies:

Stockpile the following supplies in the event the winter storm or power outage prevents you from leaving your home.

1. Flashlights and extra batteries. 

2. Battery-operated radio and extra batteries. 

3. Emergency non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration. 

4. Non-electric can opener. 

5. Bottled water. 

6. One week supply of essential medicines. 

7. Extra blankets and sleeping bags. 

8. First aid kit and manual. 

9. Fire extinguisher. 

10. Emergency heating equipment, used properly.

Protecting Water Pipes:

To keep pipes from freezing: 

1. Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers. 

2. Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture 

3. Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing. 

4. Know how to shut off water valves.

When It's Cold:

1. Let hot and cold water trickle at night from a faucet on an outside wall. 

2. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. 

3. Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees. 

If Pipes Freeze:

1. Make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst. Stopping the water flow minimizes the damage to your home. 

2. Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. 

3. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

Staying Warm Indoors:
If heat goes out during a winter storm, you can keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

1. Cover windows with plastic from the inside. This will provide an extra layer of insulation, keeping more cold air out.

2. Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. 

3. Dress in layers of lightweight clothing and wear a cap. 

If The Lights Go Out:

If you lose electrical service during the winter, follow these tips:

1. Call your utility provider first to determine area repair schedules. Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored. 

2. Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning: 

o DO NOT operate generators indoors; the motor emits deadly carbon monoxide gas. 

o DO NOT use charcoal to cook indoors. It, too, can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide gas. 

o DO NOT use your gas oven to heat your home -- prolonged use of an open oven in a closed house can create carbon monoxide gas. 

o Make sure fuel space heaters are used with proper ventilation. 

3. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food spoilage.

Generator Safety:

Electric generators can provide you with piece of mind and convenience when you are faced with a temporary loss of electric service. Follow these safety guidelines when operating a generator:

1. Run generators outside, downwind of structures. NEVER run a generator indoors. Deadly carbon monoxide gas from the generators exhaust can spread throughout enclosed spaces. Install a carbon monoxide detector. 

2. Fuel spilled on a hot generator can cause an explosion. If your generator has a detachable fuel tank remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling. 

4. Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Most of the small, home-use portable generators produce from 350 to 12,000 watts of power. Overloading your generator can damage it, the appliances connected to it, and may cause a fire. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

5. Keep children away from generators at all times.

Fire Safety:

1. Always keep a screen around an open flame.

2. Never use gasoline to start your fireplace.

3. Never burn charcoal indoors.

4. Do not close the damper when ashes are hot.

5. When using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace, woodstove, etc. always make sure you have proper ventilation. Keep curtains, towels and potholders away from hot surfaces.

7. Have a fire extinguisher and check smoke detectors NOW! Make sure they work! Establish a well-planned escape route with the entire family.

Fireplaces:

1. Keep the area around the hearth clear of debris, decorations and flammable materials. 

2. Leave the glass fireplace doors open while you are burning a fire. Close the doors when the fire is out. 

3. Always use a mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have glass doors. 

4. Do not use excessive amounts of paper when lighting a fire. 

5. Avoid using liquid fire starter or other flammable liquids to start a fire.

Kerosene Heaters:

If you use kerosene heaters as an emergency source of heat, follow these safety tips:

1. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

2. Use only the correct fuel for your unit. 

3. Refuel outdoors ONLY and only when the unit is cool. 

4. Keep the heater at least three feet away from furniture and other flammable objects. 

5. When using the heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: