Village prepares for blizzard

This story was updated on Jan. 21 at 4:45 p.m.

Village administrators met for an emergency management meeting Thursday morning in response to a blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service. The latest forecast predicts a total of anywhere from eight to 23 inches of snow accumulating between Friday evening and early Sunday morning.

“There’s guaranteed snow, guaranteed high winds … What we’re not guaranteed is the accumulations,” said Mayor Ed Fare. “Our stress levels, I think, are low. My big concern now is, of course, safety with the blizzard-like conditions.”

Fare recalled last winter’s pummeling, which cost the village more than $500,000, with more than 2,300 tons of salt and 400 tons of sand purchased. Last year’s preparations led to a surplus of 150 tons of sand.

“Last year, it seemed like every other day there was another storm on the horizon coming in to bombard us — we couldn’t catch up,” Fare said. “I’m excited about some of the possibilities, having the new equipment available to us. I think that’s going to be huge.”

The Highway Department's fleet has four new Ford F-350 Super Duty trucks this year to help plow Valley Stream’s 90 miles of roadway. The pickup truck is second largest in the company’s line, and is capable of yielding more power than the trucks they replaced.

The village also purchased salt treated with magnesium chloride this year instead of the traditional rock salt, which Deputy Highway Supervisor Christopher Vela said he plans to use to pre-treat roadways at least two hours before the storm hits.

How you can help:

The Village of Valley Stream provides tips for residents that make clearing ice and snow easier and safer:

• Use ice melt with calcium chloride or potassium chloride. It’s better for the environment, and only a small amount is required to melt ice. Avoid rock salt or sodium chloride as it kills plants and trees. Sand makes hard ice more slippery.
• Instruct children to avoid snowplows. Snow banks make it difficult for motor vehicle and snow plow operators to spot children.
• Snowplowing begins when three inches of snow have fallen on the pavement.
• Vehicles left on the street during snowplowing will be issued a summons and towed at the owner’s expense.
• Keep the adjacent sidewalks clear of snow and ice. If you are out of town, make arrangements for someone else to clear the sidewalks.
• Snow should not be shoveled or blown into the street.
• Residents who have catch basins in front of their homes should keep the area clear so water from melting snow can drain freely.
• If you have a fire hydrant near your property, remove snow from the area around the hydrant for easy access in case of emergency.

Emergency phone numbers:

• In the event of power outages call PSEG at  1-800-490-0075.
• For gas emergencies call National Grid at 1-800-490-0045.
• In Valley Stream our overnight Code Enforcement & Public Safety Line is 516-369-3872 and our Highway Department line, which will be answered throughout the duration of the storm, is 516-825-8494.

All community center programs are cancelled for Saturday, Jan. 23. The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library is open as of the time of this posting.