Six Dead on Long Island From This Week’s Massive Snow Storm: Officials

By Staff Reporter

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — At least six people have died on Long Island this week as a powerful winter storm battered the region with heavy snow, freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions, local officials confirmed Wednesday.

Authorities said the fatalities were linked to a combination of weather-related car crashes, exposure to extreme cold and medical emergencies complicated by delayed response times. Emergency crews responded to dozens of accidents as snow accumulated rapidly across New York, creating whiteout conditions at the height of the storm.

“This was a dangerous system that moved in quickly and hit hard,” a county executive said during a press briefing. “Despite advance warnings, the intensity of the snowfall and dropping temperatures created life-threatening situations.”

The National Weather Service had issued winter storm warnings ahead of the system, cautioning residents about treacherous travel and the risk of power outages. Several neighborhoods experienced temporary blackouts as strong winds and heavy, wet snow weighed down power lines.

Local hospitals reported an increase in weather-related injuries, including slip-and-fall incidents and frostbite cases. Warming centers were opened in multiple communities to shelter residents without heat.

Officials are urging residents to remain cautious even as skies begin to clear. Secondary roads remain icy, and overnight temperatures are expected to plunge, increasing the risk of refreezing.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” a police spokesperson said. “People should avoid unnecessary travel and check on elderly neighbors.”

The storm is the deadliest to hit Long Island so far this winter season, underscoring the continued dangers posed by extreme weather events across the Northeast.