Village Battling Hercules

Garden City could see anywhere from 5 to 9 inches of snow by Friday as the first major winter storm of 2014 continues to slam much of the Northeast.

No matter what the accumulation, the village of Garden City isn't taking any chances.

Garden City's Street Department has 30 pieces of various equipment and typically starts plowing with three inches of snow on the ground, Department of Public Works director Robert Mangan said.

Mangan asks residents to "keep cars off the streets until after the streets are plowed curb to curb."

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a blizzard warning will be in effect until 1 p.m. Friday.

The village is equipped with combined large and small plow trucks, payloaders and backhoe loaders.

When snow begins to fall, sand/salting of roadways and parking lots begins, 
according to standard operating procedure. Hills, curves and primary roads like Hilton Avenue are tackled first, then secondary roads and parking fields are addressed.

With 77 miles of village streets to clear, staff from the Parks/Recreation Department assists the Department of Public Works in clean up efforts.

NWS issues a blizzard warning when severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely which will lead to whiteout conditions. The NWS advises residents to not travel.