Blizzard watch in effect for Long Island

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for Long Island effective through 1 p.m. on Sunday. However, the forecast now calls for the Five Towns to get one to three three inches of snow with a mix of rain and wind on Saturday. The storm is expected to begin early Saturday and possibly continue on Sunday.

Temperatures on Saturday are expected to range from 34° to 25° with the wind gusting to 41 mph. There also could be coastal flooding and beach erosion.

It is nearly one year ago that more than 13 inches of snow fell on the Five Towns.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said there is a about to be "blizzard-like conditions," but the county is ready with 100 plowers and spreaders and has 28,000 tons of salt and 3,600 tons of sand.

"We will prepare for the worst and hope for the best," Mangano said, adding that the county will brine its roads to hopefully avoid icing.

Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said, officials have met to discuss preparation for the expected snowstorm, including speaking with the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County.

“We have an entire fleet of small, medium and large snowplows [eight in total] ready to go, to accommodate all our streets,” Weinstock said. “We are prepared, whether we receive two inches or two feet of snow. We have a large amount of salt and use it for presalting, if necessary. With 18 miles of road throughout the village, we have 180 tons of salt to use, but usually only use about 60 tons every year.”

Weinstock said that residents are being asked to park in their driveways. In the event that they can’t do that, then they should park on only one side of the street and keep the other side clear to make snow and ice removal easier. The village plans on plowing to the blacktop, he added.

The village uses snow blowers around Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park and in the business district. “We assist the small number of people in the village that are handicapped by clearing their sidewalks and entranceways so they may be assisted for their medical needs more efficiently and in case of an emergency,” he said.

Sanitary District 1 officials are reminding residents to clear pathways that lead to trash cans and recycling receptacles. “Keeping a snow-free path for your sanitation workers is extremely beneficial to collection operations,” James Vilardi, chairman of the sanitary district’s Board of Commissioners said. “Unclear paths can increase the amount of time and effort required to remove the unwanted waste for your home. It also creates the potential for real safety hazards for those removing it.”