Police issue county-wide advisory for icy, hazardous roadways
Update: The Riverhead Highway Department reported that sanding trucks have been dispatched to help deal with the icy roads, although even the trucks are sliding on the roads in some spots. No roads have been officially closed as of 1 p.m., although a section of Sound Avenue was closed between Edwards Avenue and Fresh Pond Avenue due to a down pole.
Original Story: The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists to use extreme caution when driving on roadways due to icy conditions.
The advisory was issued shortly after 11 a.m. Friday morning, stating “the roadways are icy and considered hazardous.”
The U.S. National Weather Service reported an hour earlier that rain is moving across Long Island and is “creating some slick and hazardous conditions where temps are currently below freezing.”
“While temperatures will be slowly rising above freezing over the next few hours, give yourself plenty of extra time while traveling and go slow,” the weather report states.
In Riverhead Town, police say they have received a number of reports of cars skidding on the ice Friday morning, although there were no serious accidents as of midday.
Riverhead Town employees also have been applying salt to the parking lot around Town Hall and the police station, which have become icy in spots.
Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter said the town will be issuing a similar advisory.
“We want to advise people to be careful walking on sideways because they may be icy, and to please adjust your speed accordingly if you are driving,” Mr. Walter said.
The supervisor said he had just driven on Long Island Expressway, which was icy.
Southampton Town Police also issued an advisory at about noon Friday, saying “There remains hazardous road conditions due to freezing rain throughout the township. Please stay off roadways unless absolutely necessary and use extreme caution in such cases.”
