Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter is asking residents to stay off the roads today unless absolutely necessary.
"Today's snow is causing hazardous road conditions in Riverhead and all across Long Island," Walter said in a phone interview Saturday morning. And according to the forecast, he noted, it's only going to get worse before it gets better.
Snow is supposed to mix with sleet this afternoon and change over to freezing rain before ending tonight, making travel even more hazardous.
"Please stay home unless it's absolutely necessary to go out," Walter said. "And if you must go out, use an abundance of caution. Drive slowly and keep your distance," he said.
Snow, slush and icy surfaces have already made travel treacherous, the supervisor said. There have been numerous motor vehicle accidents across town since early this morning.
"Please let the highway crews do their jobs," Walter said. "Let the plows and sanders clear and treat the roads before venturing out. And please move your cars off the street so the plows can clean up efficiently," he said.
Highway crews have been out since working to keep the town's main arteries clear, Riverhead Highway Superintendent George Woodson said.
"I had some trucks out sanding icy spots and salting the roads since about 5:30," Woodson said, in a phone interview while he was operating a plow in Polish Town this morning. He called in all highway personnel as of 8 a.m. and it will be all hands on deck until they're done, he said.
Once the snow slows down, crews will work their way into the side streets and developments, Woodson said, reiterating the supervisor's cautionary words about staying home and keeping off the roads today and tonight.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
