Snow blankets Seaford, Wantagh

Snow blanketed Seaford and Wantagh on Thursday. With the storm expected to continue throughout the afternoon and early evening, elected officials offered residents safety tips.

The National Weather Service upgraded its Feb. 9 forecast for Long Island to Blizzard Warning, meaning more snow will likely fall than originally predicted and sustained winds and gusts will blow at higher speeds.

By 5 a.m., a heavy, wet snow, mixed with freezing rain, had already begun to fall. The snow was expected to turn more powdery as temperatures dropped into the low 20s throughout the day. Snow could fall at three inches per hour at times, and accumulations could range between 12 to 16 inches.

Expect winds out of the north to blow at 20 to 35 miles per hour, with the strongest gusts up to 45 mph.

The Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown school districts were all closed. Joann Cozza, of North Wantagh, said that she planned to stay inside of her Jules Lane home with her daughters, relaxing and keeping warm.

"Last night I went to the store buy milk, bread and cold cuts - nothing crazy - and to make sure that my car was filled up with gas," Cozza said of her storm preparations. "I'll be out there blowing away snow in the driveway and cleaning the cars later in case I need them for an emergency."

Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony Santino said that he was traveling the township throughout the day, overseeing snow removal operations along local streets. He requested that residents remove cars from roadways and asked that residents stay indoors, if possible.

“Our crews have already spread the town’s new ice-melting brine solution on roadways,” Santino said. “And, plow operators are working hard to keep streets safe and passable.”

Santino noted that this winter storm has given the town an opportunity to use its roadway brine de-icing system for the first time. The system utilizes a saltwater solution, which he said is more effective in melting snow and less costly when compared to traditional rock salt.Nassau County’s Department of Public Works began pre-treating roads with brine on Wednesday as well.

Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, of Wantagh, said that she was confident that, because of the new brine system, the "dedication of our town highway and sanitation personnel" and Santino's leadership, town roads would be cleared as quickly as possible. She said that she'd be out and about in the 5th District during the storm.

Sweeney said that she would visit elderly Wantagh and Seaford residents in the afternoon. During times of inclement weather, she explained, it's important to check on senior citizens, as many are either alone or do not ask for help.

"We cannot forget the many elderly residents that may not have anyone to dig them out," she said. "Please remember those in your community who may be in need of assistance."

All town senior enrichment programs and transportation were cancelled for Thursday.

Town sanitation services, including garbage and recycling pickup, were suspended in order for crews to focus on clearing snow from area streets. Collection will resume on residents’ next scheduled garbage and recycling pickup day.

Nassau County opened its Emergency Hotline at 5 a.m. For non-life-threatening emergencies, call (800) 315-5153. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately.

Homeless people in need of shelter should call the county's WarmBed Hotline at (866) 927-6233.

PSEG Long Island officials said to expect possible power outages. To report an outage, call (800) 490-0075.