Weather

Winter storm brings more snow, flooding to Riverhead Town

Riverhead Town snow

Three days after last digging themselves out, local residents found themselves again shoveling snow Monday.

The storm dropped about six inches of snow on the North Fork, according to preliminary numbers released by the National Weather Service.

Here are the latest local snow totals the NWS posted at 5 p.m. Friday:

• 6 inches in Flanders (reported at 4:10 p.m.)
• 5.8 inches in Mattituck (reported at 3:45 p.m.)
• 5.5 inches in Orient Point (reported at 1:30 p.m.)

Some flooding was also reported in both Riverhead and Southold towns.

The parking lot along the riverfront in downtown Riverhead closed as high tides and strong winds caused flooding in the area.


• Snow Day: Photos from Monday’s winter storm


Town engineer Ken Testa described the flooding as typical for a storm, especially during high tide with a northeasterly wind.

He said police put up barricades earlier to block drivers from using the flooded parking lot and estimates it will reopen later this evening.

“It usually goes back to normal after a storm passes,” Mr. Testa said.

Riverhead Town police said 14 motor vehicle accidents occurred on local roadways, but no major crashes or injuries had been reported as of 3 p.m.

One person was taken to the hospital Monday morning after he crashed his vehicle into a tree near the intersection of Sound Avenue and Church Lane in Aquebogue.

Riverhead Town Highway Superintendent George “Gio” Woodson said crews started sanding the roads at 6:30 a.m. and have been plowing since 9:30 a.m.

The town declared a winter storm event Monday to remain in effect until 8 p.m.

All residents are urged to remove their vehicles from the street to increase effectiveness of snow plows. The town is also reminding residents that Riverhead Town police are authorized to impound parked or abandoned vehicles that affect the roadways during a storm.

As for sand and salt supplies, Mr. Woodson described the town’s current stock as “good.”

“The roads aren’t bad — if you drive slow,” he said. “Take your time you’ll be fine.”

Temperatures are projected to remain in the low to mid-30s for the remainder of the day Monday, dipping into the upper to mid-20s overnight into Tuesday.

A light snow shower is forecasted for Monday night after 10 p.m. with less than an inch of new snow predicted. Light snow showers are also expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

Photo: Flooding in downtown Riverhead. (Credit: Paul Squire).

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