Town Highway Crews Removing Abandoned Cars

With "hundreds" of cars estimated to be stranded on the road throughout Suffolk County, Brookhaven Town has alerted motorists that if their car has become disabled and is abandoned in the middle of any county or town roadway, it may not be there when they return.

Nesconset Fire Department crews are on Route 347 in Lake Grove, assisting motorists who had stayed in their cars for extended periods, using their fire station as a warming station. Close to 30 cars are estimated to be holding up snow plows from clearing the roads.

Route 347, a state road, is currently impassible in both directions near the Smith Haven Mall, according to a public information official.

And Selden and Farmingville crews were dispatched to Country Road 83 Friday night, as many roads have become clogged with idle cars.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine demanded all non-emergency vehicles off the roadways at 10 a.m. Saturday, after calling a state of emergency Friday night.

"Town crews are working to clear the roads and will continue their efforts until all are safe and passable," reads a notification from the Town.

Brookhaven Town reported that drivers whose cars become disabled should make arrangements to move them as soon as possible, and should they not find their car there when they come back to get it, to call 631-451-TOWN (8696).

For homes without power – nearly 11,000 throughout the Long Island Power Authority grid – clearing the roads is a number one priority before power crews can get in to restore power, according to a National Grid spokesperson.