UPDATE: Some Town Roads Impassable, Supervisor Warns

UPDATE: 11:51 a.m.: Despite early reports that Southold roads seemed to be in good shape, Southold Town Supervisor said as the snow has cleared, some problem areas have begun to emerge.

Russell said he spoke to Kurt Davids Saturday morning for an update.

"There are areas where the roads are still not passable," Russell said. "There was a lot of snow and there have been some equipment failures. To make matters worse, there are stranded cars, which means the plow operator cannot clear certain areas," Russell said.

The supervisor said he was on Fleets Neck, where roads have been plowed and a crew is working. 

"People need to remember that we got an incredible amount of snow and, in that context, we are making good progress. There is still a state of emergency in effect and people who are taking cars out and getting them stuck are making the highway crews' job much more difficult. Our first order of business is to establish that we can get emergency vehicles where they need to be. Under a state of emergency, only highway crews and emergency responders should be on the roads," Russell said.

Davids assured Russell, "They are making progress and, slowly but surely, making headway. There are areas where the roads have been plowed several times and may not appear to have been plowed because of the last seven or eight-inch blast we received from the storm."

The supervisor said the town's highway crew is getting to those areas as quickly as possible; Russell reached out to Suffolk County to see if there was any possibility of additional resources for help.  

Original story: As the blizzard pummelled Southold with high winds and whiteout snow conditions Friday night, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said town staff were working round the clock to keep residents safe.

On Saturday morning, Russell said the focus was on restoring power for residents scattered throughout the community that lost service.

"We are in regular contact with the fire departments and it appears that the power is coming back on in many areas," Russell said.

Southold Highway Department Superintendent Peter Harris and his crews worked throughout the storm, Russell said.

Although the official tally has not yet been reported by the National Weather Service, residents in some areas of Mattituck and the North Fork have said they have seen over two feet of snow -- and that the North Fork was one of the hardest-hit areas.

"By all accounts, the town roads are in very good shape, Russell said. "We have had reports of the state and county roads not faring as well, with drifting snow and abandoned cars, which makes it difficult for the drivers to plow."

Russell said there were reports of accidents "here and there throughout the event'" and some emergency calls.

"However, other then the tremendous volume of snow, we are faring pretty well," the supervisor said.