Over the years, Long Island has seen more than its fair share of snowstorms–from blizzards to nor’easters. Often, these storms result in serious damage to homes and property, as well as lives lost. Winter in Long Island is no laughing matter, and protecting yourself and your property from storms is key.
Below I’ll recap some of the worst storms the area has seen, including two recent storms. If you have been injured in a snowstorm due to someone else’s negligence–whether that be a property owner, a driver, or someone else, Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help. Get in touch today for a free consultation at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
Long Island Blizzard of 1978
In 1978, a two-day coastal blizzard brought 26 inches of snow and hurricane-force winds to the area–stretching as far as New England and into Vermont’s Green Mountains. The damage caused by the storm was severe: beach houses collapsed, stores had to shut down, and several people died. At the time, the science of weather forecasting was still developing, so when forecasters predicted 1-2 feet of snow, many people commuted to work despite the warnings.
People became trapped as snowfall of up to two inches per hour arrived, resulting in reports of 15-foot drifts. 3000 cars were left abandoned across the area, and 2000 drivers had to visit rescue centers in schools, hospitals, and office buildings. Long Island didn’t recover for days. During that winter, Albany saw a whopping 92.4 inches of snow.
Winter Storm Nemo
In February 2013, a huge Northeast storm known as Nemo resulted in two feet of snow in Suffolk County. Drivers were stranded in their vehicles across the area, with many commuters becoming stranded just a few miles from their homes. Witnesses described the storm as unlike anything the area has ever seen: three to four inches of snow fell per hour, and even emergency vehicles got stuck trying to rescue people stranded in their vehicles. The National Guard was called in by Governor Cuomo, and rescuers had to utilize snowmobiles to reach drivers.
Central Suffolk County was hardest hit–with snowfall totaling 33.5 inches. Railways and highways were shut down. We also saw communities working together to help. In less-affected areas, counties sent snow plows and other equipment to Long Island to help in the cleanup efforts. When power went out in 8600 homes, the Long Island Power Authority’s utility trucks were incapable of getting through snow drifts. By the end of the weekend, however, roads were clear enough for travel.
Snowfall totals for Suffolk County were:
- Baiting Hollow – 26 inches
- Bay Shore – 18 inches
- Bridgehampton – 12 inches
- Centereach – 32 inches
- Central Islip – 30+ inches
- Centerport – 21+ inches
- Commack – 29+ inches
- Deer Park – 20 inches
- East Islip – 14 inches
- East Northport – 19 inches
- Eastport – 16 inches
- East Setauket – 28+ inches
- Holbrook – 26+ inches
- Huntington – 29+ inches
- Islip Macarthur Airport – 27+ inches
- Jamesport – 14 inches
- Kings Park – 30+ inches
- Lake Ronkonkoma – 23 inches
- Lindenhurst – 20+ inches
- Medford – 33+ inches
- Miller Place – 31+ inches
- Mount Sinai – 26 inches
- Nesconset – 30 inches
- North Babylon – 24 inches
- North Patchogue – 20 inches
- Port Jefferson – 25+ inches
- Riverhead – 19+ inches
- Rocky Point – 21 inches
- Ronkonkoma – 19+ inches
- Saint James – 28 inches
- Sayville – 16 inches
- Shoreham – 26 inches
- Shirley – 10+ inches
- Smithtown – 27 inches
- Stony Brook – 28 inches
- Sound Beach – 24+ inches
- Upton – 30+ inches
- Yaphank – 28 inches
Totals in Nassau County were:
- Albertson – 11 inches
- Baldwin Harbor – 9+ inches
- Bayville – 16+ inches
- Bellmore – 11 inches
- Carle Place – 13 inches
- East Norwich – 18 inches
- Elmont – 12+ inches
- Floral Park – 10 inches
- Hempstead – 12 inches
- Jericho – 10+ inches
- Levittown – 12 inches
- Lido Beach – 8+ inches
- Long Beach – 10 inches
- Massapequa – 15 inches
- Massapequa Park – 18 inches
- New Hyde Park – 8 inches
- North Merrick – 10 inches
- North Valley Stream – 9 inches
- Plainview – 18 inches
- Rockville Centre – 12+ inches
- Seaford – 13+ inches
- Wantagh – 11 inches
- Woodmere – 13+ inches
January 2022 Blizzard
In the final days of January 2022, a blizzard resulted in nearly 25 inches of snow in Islip, New York, setting a record for the most snowfall ever to fall in the area. Central Park saw over 8 inches of snow, while JFK Airport was hit with over 12 inches. The storm started out as typical, but quickly intensified to blizzard levels across the Jersey Shore, Long Island, and parts of New England.
The storm easily met the criteria for a blizzard: for three hours, snow blew at 35 miles per hour and visibility was just a quarter-mile. Several people died from complications from the cold. Thousands of flights were canceled across the area, and several states declared emergencies.
February 2024 Nor’Easter
The nor’easter of 2024 known as Winter Storm Lorraine brought more snowfall than Long Island had seen in years. Suffolk County saw around 9 inches of snow. Even Central Park, which has not seen much snowfall in recent years, received over three inches.
Cities across New York lost power and saw closed schools and workplaces due to impossible travel conditions. Pennsylvania also reported the most snowfall it had seen in years–9 to 10 inches. In the Lehigh Valley, snowfall totals were between 9 and 12 inches. The Suffolk Times reported three to four inches after a foot of snow was forecast. Despite the low numbers, there was more snow than the area had seen in two years.
Can I Sue for a Winter Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident of any type during a storm, a lawsuit may be possible if it was due to someone else’s negligence. Property owners who fail to clear their sidewalks or parking lots, reckless drivers, and poor emergency responses could all potentially be to blame for a serious accident. Buttafuoco & Associates has worked with clients across New York and Northern New Jersey for decades, often helping them make a case when negligence is involved.
To find out if you have a case, call 1-800-NOW-HURT for a free consultation.
