Valley Stream begins storm preparations

The plows are connected, the trucks are gassed up and Valley Stream crews are ready to go as the first major snowstorm of the winter is set to hit Long Island this evening.

Mayor Ed Fare said that with predictions ranging anywhere from 5 to 12 inches of snow falling by Friday morning, it is definitely a manageable amount that crews will be able to clear in a reasonable amount of time.

“The village has plenty of salt and sand," he said. "We haven’t even started to touch our supply yet.”

In fact, crews put down a layer of salt on the roads this morning, which Fare said will keep the snow from sticking right away or freezing to the surface, which makes it easier for the plows to clear the streets.

Highway Superintendent Tim Leahy said that Valley Stream has very experienced crews in the Public Works Department who have been through a number of storms.

Leahy said there is some concern about the high winds that will accompany the storm, creating the possibility of falling trees and limbs. He said there will be two tree crews on duty during the storm to deal with any of these issues.

Fare is reminding residents to move their cars off the street before the snow hits, so plows can clear the entire width of each road. He also asks that after the plows come through, residents should not shovel snow from the sidewalk back into the streets. He said the village can fine people for doing that. “We can and we have," he said. “It creates a hazard. Our job is to clear the streets.”

He also asks residents to help their elderly neighbors shovel out, and to clear any fire hydrants on their street.

Motorists were preparing for the storm too as several gas stations featured long lines of cars.