Islip Calls In Payloaders to Move Snow

More than two feet of wet, heavy snow has forced Islip Town officials to call in heavy machinery to help clear local roadways. 

Supervisor Tom Croci said roughly 30 percent of the Town's roads were passable by 12 p.m. on Saturday as snow removal efforts remain in full swing. The Town has been calling in contractors and extra equipment to get roadways open as soon as possible. 

"We have brought in some payloaders. The wet, heavy snow is difficult to move and we are pulling out all the stops," Croci said. 

There are 125 town crews and 200 hired contractors that have been working together since Friday morning. Their biggest challenge is vehicles parked on local roads instead of in driveways. 

"There are many parked cars we hoped people would have moved off the street and into their driveway. By now they are buried, so we are simply plowing around them," Croci said. 

The heavy weight of the wet snow is also taking a toll on the Town's crews and equipment. The supervisor said snowplows, payloads and other equipment are being checked, repaired for line breaks and damaged parts and oiled more frequently than is necessary during lighter snowfalls. 

"We have to do more maintenance as we go, but we are not having any huge mechanical breakdowns," Croci said. 

Town officials said they have yet to receive any reports of snowplows getting stuck in drifts. 

Islip remains in state of emergency, declared Friday afternoon, and residents are being asked to stay at home. 

Croci had one piece of advice for local residents. "Stay home and let the crews work through the evening to get the job done," he said.