Bellone Urges Drivers To 'Be Careful' As Snowstorm Hits Suffolk

COMMACK, NY — Long Island is getting its first real snow of the season on Friday after a false alarm on Monday.

The storm has grown in size overnight, and, depending on the area of Suffolk County, is expected to drop 4 to 8 inches or 6 to 10 inches of the white stuff. The Northwest and North Fork of the county are expected to be hit the hardest, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Friday morning in Commack.

With roads wet, slick, icy, and dangerous, Bellone urged drivers to be careful and asked them to consider staying home if possible.

"Even as we clear the roads, continue to be very careful out there," Bellone said.

As of around 8:30 a.m., there have been 50-snow related motor vehicle accidents in the county, but none of them were major, said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.

"If you don't have to go on the roads, please stay home," Harrison said. "But if you do, please drive carefully."

The county has more than 160 plows on the road. The coronavirus pandemic has not impacted the county's storm preparation, but Bellone said the virus could be a concern for a storm lasting longer than one day.

"Where we may see problems with COVID and that coming into play affecting staffing and affecting some of our ability to get all those plows out on the road is when you have a longer-term event," Bellone said. "That's something we're continuing to think about and prepare for."