Blizzard Dumps Nearly Foot of Snow on Garden City

Children awoke to a winter wonderland in Garden City Saturday after Blizzard Nemo dumped at least 9 inches of snow on the area.

Village crews have been clearing snow since early last evening and are continuing this morning. Village officials remind residents to please shovel out fire hydrants if there's one on their property.

Fire Chief Charles Cavarra said the department worked through the night under normal staffing and 25 volunteers stood by in fire headquarters during the storm. Firefighters responded to two calls - for wires down and a carbon monoxide malfunction.

Garden City volunteer firefighters set up air mattresses and cots to hunker down for the night in Headquarters. To make the night more comfortable, firefighters prepared a nice hot pot of firehouse chili to warm the bellies of the village's volunteers. In addition, volunteers help set up and prepare meals for village public works crews.

"I am proud of the men and women who serve their fellow neighbors here in the village; it's simply neighbors helping neighbors," Chief Cavarra said, adding that roads were kept passable by DPW all night and that most stayed home to ride out the storm. "Things are returning to normal quite quickly."

Village police responded to 47 calls during the storm, including nine medical aided/police assistance calls, eight auto accident calls, eight premise alarms and three disabled autos, according to police commissioner Kenneth Jackson.

The National Weather Service is calling for sun this afternoon with a high temperature of 33.

LIPA is still reporting 20 households without power in Garden City. Patch has learned it's affecting two blocks in the East - Russell Road and Laurel Street. Homes have been without power since 3 p.m. Friday. Restoration is expected by 2:30 p.m.

Send your snow pics to carisa@patch.com.