Snow Storm Report: Commute, Closings, Road Conditions, Reminders

More than six inches of snow have accumulated in Yorktown as of early afternoon and officials are advising people to be careful and stay off the roads. 

Today's Commute

Although not nearly as powerful as the , the storm is expected to affect Friday evening's commute and has already led to cancelations within the  and a warning from the New York State Police to stay off the roads.

The New York State Police issued a travel alert Friday afternoon report saying that all roadways throughout the area are "snow covered and extremely slippery." They are asking motorists to avoid non-emergency travel so the Department of Transportation can continue maintaining the highways.

Yorktown police spokesperson Lt. Kevin Soravilla said police officers have been "pretty busy" due to the storm. The roads are slippery and cars have been getting stuck. He urges drivers to be careful. 

The snow started early morning and has since been steadily falling.

Yorktown Roads

Yorktown Highway Department Superintendent Eric DiBartolo said, but advises motorists to slow down.

"People need to take their time, it's the most important thing," he said. 

DiBartolo had his first crew get out to the roads at 4 a.m., at 7:30 a.m. the trucks started applying material to the roads, including de-icing fluid and rock salt. At 11:45 a.m. employees started scooping the snow and plowing the roads.

Yorktown will have 78 trucks out plowing the roads until the snow stops this evening. DiBartolo said he anticipates to finish taking care of the roads earlier than predicted and town employees would be able to get home tonight. 

If people do need to travel, DiBartolo said they should leave themselves plenty of time to get to their destination. Otherwise, he said they should really stay home.

"Leave a lot of space between you and the car in front of you," he said because the slippery roads might make it difficult to stop. 

Statistics of the Storm

This snow storm is similar to the December blizzard in the sense that he and his employees continue to keep the roads safe for everybody, DiBartolo said. The difference, however, is there is no heavy wind or blinding snow. A big help he said was that schools were closed, and they don't have to "chase down the school buses."

There is no word of how much the storm would cost to Yorktown. DiBartolo said the last snow storm cost $100,000, of which $75,000 went toward paying employees overtime. The rest $25,000 went toward fuel costs and other snow removal expenses such as liquids, tires and pumps, DiBartolo said.

"When you are plowing the snow, the trucks take the hardest hit," he said. 

Closings

Lakeland Central School District was closed. Yorktown Central School District was closed. All after school activities have been cancelled. 

BOCES of Putnam and Northern Westchester is closed. 

Bright Beginnings Pre-School Center in Yorktown is closed. 

The Yorktown Community and Cultural Center will remain open, as there is a dance function at the building tonight.

The Yorktown Teen Center is closed and the first for the month Friday's Cafe Open Mic is cancelled due to the storm. Normally the event attracts approximately 150 teens. 

Town Hall and all other town buildings remain open, Supervisor Susan Siegel said.

Stay tuned with Patch for more updates throughout the day.