LIVOAD Weather Alert: Blizzard Warning, Coastal Flooding & Travel Bans

Dear LIVOAD Partners,

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Warning in effect now until 6:00 PM Monday, along with a Coastal Flood Warning from midnight through 5:00 AM Monday for Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Blizzard Warning In Effect Until 6 PM Monday

What to Expect:

• Blizzard conditions with whiteout visibility (less than ¼ mile at times)
• Snow accumulations of 17-24 inches
• Wind gusts up to 60 mph
• Heaviest snow and strongest winds expected tonight into Monday
• Travel conditions very difficult to impossible
• Hazardous conditions impacting Monday morning and evening commutes
• Heavy snow and damaging winds may down trees and power lines
• Scattered to widespread power outages possible

Impacts:

• Life-threatening travel conditions
• Near-zero visibility due to blowing and falling snow
• Downed tree limbs and power lines
• Increased risk to vulnerable populations, including older adults and individuals experiencing housing insecurity

Travel Advisory:

During this time, roads are restricted to essential workers, plow operators, and emergency vehicles only. Please plan staffing and service operations accordingly.

• Nassau County: 9:00 PM Sunday – 9:00 AM Monday
• Suffolk County: 9:00 PM Sunday – 9:00 AM Monday

Coastal Flood Warning – Midnight to 5 AM Monday

Areas Impacted: Northern Nassau, and Northwest Suffolk

What to Expect:

• 1.5 to 2.5 feet of inundation above ground level in vulnerable shoreline areas
• Widespread moderate flooding of low-lying waterfront areas
• Numerous road closures near shorelines and tidal rivers
• Flooding of parking lots, parks, basements, and homes/businesses near the waterfront
• Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas likely to become flooded
• Breaking surf of 3-5 feet along north and northeast-facing shorelines
• Beach flooding and dune erosion possible
• Ice in bays and harbors may worsen flooding impacts

Safety Reminder:

Do not drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Protect flood-prone property where possible.

Recommended Preparedness Actions:

• Limit travel during peak storm conditions
• Prepare for power outages (charge devices, check flashlights and batteries)
• Secure outdoor items ahead of strong winds
• Ensure emergency supplies are stocked (food, water, medications)
• Check on vulnerable neighbors and clients
• Review staffing and emergency response plans
• Share warming center, emergency shelter, and flood safety information

Please continue circulating winter storm and coastal flood safety messaging. If your organization anticipates activating services, modifying operations, opening shelters, or has resources to share, please reply so we can distribute information across LI VOAD partners.

HWCLI LIVOAD will continue monitoring conditions in coordination with county and state partners and will provide additional updates as they become available. For official updates, please visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov or monitor NOAA Weather Radio.

Thank you for your continued collaboration in helping keep our communities safe.

Long Island Warming Centers

Nassau County:

Nassau County has many services available to help residents during extreme weather conditions to ensure no one is left out in the cold or extreme heat. Nassau County’s Temporary Warming space is available for anyone who needs to warm-up on days of extreme temperatures**.

Nassau County Warming Space

The Former Nassau County Family Court

1200 Old Country Road, Westbury

Operating Hours:

Sunday, February 22nd: Open 24 hours

Monday, February 23rd: Open 24 hours

If transportation is required, please call 911 or (1-866-WARMBED)

If you see someone who may need shelter overnight, do not hesitate to call the Nassau County Winter Homeless Hotline (1-866-WARMBED). Nassau County’s Emergency Shelter Relief Program is open seven days a week both day and night. The Emergency Night Service (ENS) opens at 6pm. ENS handles nighttime WarmBed calls.

In preparation for the upcoming storm, the Nassau County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated beginning Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 0900 hours. An official notification will be distributed once activation is fully in effect.

Suffolk County:

Suffolk County has a list of all warming centers that may be activated during an excessive cold event as determined by the National Weather Service. During excessive cold conditions, review the operating hours and call before you go or make a referral, to make sure the location is open.  Click here for a list of facilities.

The Department of Social Services is proactively reaching out to vulnerable populations to assess their needs and provide assistance. Additional staff are on hand to support these efforts. The number for any emergency housing is 631-854-9930. For emergency services (After 4:30 PM & Weekends, Holidays): (631) 854-9100.  If you have any questions or concerns reach out to Suffolk County by calling their non-emergency number at 311.

The LIVOAD has been in touch with both counties and will continue to update you as information becomes available. To reach the VOAD, simply reply to this email.

Winter Weather Resources

Nassau County OEM:  

• https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/1620/Emergency-Management
• Click here to sign up for Nassau County Emergency Alerts

 Suffolk County OEM: 

• https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FRES/
• Click here to sign up for Suffolk County Emergency Alerts

NWS New York Tropical Page: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/tropical

NWS New York Website: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/

NWS New York Summer DSS Website: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/emnew_summer

River Gauges and Forecasts: 

• https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=okx

NWS New York Facebook: 

• http://www.facebook.com/NWSNewYorkNY

NWS New York Twitter: 

• http://www.twitter.com/NWSNewYorkNY

Online Severe Weather Reporting: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/SubmitStormReport

To report an outage to PSEG: 

Text OUT to PSEGLI at 773454 or visit:  https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/contactus

To Report a Downed Power Line to PSEG call: 1-800-490-0075

To report a Gas Emergency to National Grid:

If you smell gas anywhere, including in your home, go outside and call 1-800-490-0045 or 911 immediately

Visit Report a Gas Emergency | National Grid

American Red Cross: How to Get Help: 

https://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/ or call: 1-877-733-2767 

American Red Cross Preparedness Guide: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/

Utility Affordability Programs

HWCLI is committed to ensuring our network and the communities we serve have access to critical resources during times of need, including assistance that supports household stability and safety during the winter months.

Long Island

United Way Project Warmth: Long Island's Fuel Fund

United Way's Project Warmth Emergency Energy Fund can make a significant difference for families in our region. As Long Island’s only non-governmental, island-wide emergency energy fund, Project Warmth is a safety net for financially struggling individuals and families who are unable to pay their heating bill. This program provides a one-time grant for energy and/or energy-related electricity. Payments are made directly to oil and utility companies on behalf of eligible residents facing heating emergencies. For the hundreds of families we help each year, assistance with an oil delivery or utility arrears means they have room in their budgets to cover essentials like food or medication.

Over 2,000 households with heating emergencies, including 1,362 children, weren’t left out in the cold last winter because of a $500,000 grant from the National Grid Foundation to support Project Warmth. We are grateful to our many funders, including National Grid Foundation and over 1,000 Long Islanders who contribute through their PSEG utility bills to help their neighbors in need. 

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you or someone you know needs assistance, call United Way’s 2-1-1 Long Island information and referral call center by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-888-774-7633) Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

National Grid Consumer Advocates:

National Grid's Consumer Advocates are available to help identify assistance solutions to help if you are experiencing financial hardship or extenuating circumstance such as sudden illness, loss of job, death of immediate family member, victim of a crime, etc. They also help Special Needs customers such as blind, elderly, disabled or households with residents with severe/chronic medical conditions that may be having difficulties navigating and receiving assistance. Advocates work closely with Department of Social Services counties and are aware of available community programs. Use this Customer Resource Check List to have helpful information at your fingertips.

PSEG Long Island’s Payment Assistance Programs:

Energy bills can be a significant household expense and it’s understandable that it can sometimes be a struggle to keep up. Unemployment, disability, a medical emergency or other unexpected event can impact your ability to pay. Energy assistance programs from PSEG Long Island and other sources are available and can help get you the aid you need.

• Household Assistance Program – Monthly bill discounts of $45 of more for eligible customers. Apply online: www.psegliny.com/assistance.
• Financial Hardship Agreement- Payment plans as low as $10 a month for past due balances. Visit our website for more details: www.psegliny.com/assistance.
• Consumer Advocacy Hotline: direct support for all financial assistance programs. Call Monday- Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm- 631-755-3407 or email us at consumeradvocacyli@psegliny.com.

Long Island Clean Energy Hub:

The Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub is a program designed by NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) and administered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County.

The Long Island Clean Energy Hub can help you be more comfortable in your home and save money on your energy bills. They serve all residents, small businesses, affordable property, and nonprofits in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, with a focus on underserved or otherwise limited opportunity communities. When you contact LI Clean Energy Hub, you’ll be connected to one of their trained Community Energy Advisors, who can share resources on energy efficiency, clean heating and cooling, solar power, and more.

Here are some of the free services they offer:  

• Explain programs that can help with heating bills, drafty homes, heating systems, and solar and other clean energy.
• Help learn about jobs and job training in clean energy.
• Explain a home energy assessment and how it helps people.
• Help someone fill out an application for energy assistance programs.
• Explain the energy incentives available to a person or business.
• Direct income-eligible residents to home repair programs.
• Help learn how to make a home ready for energy improvements.
• Explain electric vehicles, charging stations, and vehicle rebates.
• Help find a contractor to make clean energy upgrades.
• Find a community solar program and help residents and businesses sign up for it.

Click here to contact them today or email LICleanEnergy@cornell.edu, or call

(516) 832-2591 ext. 125 for more information.

516-483-1110

connect@hwcli.com

www.hwcli.com

Established in 1947, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) is a regional, nonprofit umbrella organization for health and human service providers dedicated to improving the lives of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents by responding to their needs through the promotion and development of public policies and direct services. To learn more, visit www.hwcli.org or call 516-483-1110.