Nor'easter Keeps Fire, Police Departments Busy

For many residents, it's deja vu all over again.

Posted by Carisa Giardino (Editor), November 7, 2012 at 10:58 pm

The first snowstorm of the season slammed Garden City Wednesday. (Credit: Ed Rotondo)

Wednesday's Nor'easter has village police and fire crews responding to fires, power outages, dangerous road conditions and street closures.

Firefighters and officers responded to New Hyde Park Road earlier today "where there were transformer explosions on recently repaired electric lines from Storm Sandy" according to this week's police report.

The explosions caused wires to fall to the ground resulting in fires, power outages, dangerous road conditions and street closures. The incident also resulted in railroad gate malfunctions at the Stewart Manor and Nassau Boulevard train stations.

For many residents in Garden City, it's deja vu all over again. A week after Hurricane Sandy knocked out power to most of the village, a nor'easter that blew into town Wednesday afternoon is leaving many in the dark again.

LIPA is reporting that the storm has caused additional damage and power outages. "Rest assured that our crews will continue to work as long as, and whenever, it is safe to do so," according to a message on the authority's website Wednesday evening. "When possible, we will restore power to customers who have been without power for the longest time. Your safety and well being remain our number one priority and we thank you for your continued patience during this difficult time."

As of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday 2,374 were without power. (This includes those still out since Sandy hit and those who got power back and lost it again because of today's storm.)

More than 12,000 workers, including more than 8,000 linemen and tree trim crews from all over the country, some of whom have been airlifted in by the National Guard, are assisting LIPA crews daily, according to the message.

Heavy snowfall and gusting winds made Wednesday's commute difficult and the dangerous weather conditions halted LIRR traffic Wednesday evening.

"The LIRR is experiencing significant weather-related delays and cancellations as a result of this evening’s coastal storm because of fallen trees, downed power lines and downed utility poles. The LIRR is operating two trains an hour from Penn Station, one to Huntington and one to Ronkonkoma. Service on all other branches is suspended due to the effects of the ongoing coastal storm. Customers are advised to utilize trains to Huntington and Ronkonkoma and arrange to be picked up at stations nearest to their destination, if possible," according to the MTA's website.