Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Blizzard Strands Hundreds Of Cars On Long Island Expressway
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 9, 2013
Modified Feb 9, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 9, 2013
Modified Feb 9, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Long Island got slammed with about 30 inches of snow from the blizzard and even though state and local officials' recommended drivers stay off the road, hundreds of drivers got stuck on the Long Island Expressway, where the roads are closed in both directions. WCBS 2 reports, "Cars were left disabled, in ditches and inside snow drifts." The Suffolk County Police spent the night helping disabled motorists to diners, hotels and gas stations—and even found some of their own vehicles stuck.
Authorities explained that vehicles got backed up and weren't able to pass each other—and the huge piles of plowed snow made it hard to exit the highway as well. The LIE was closed at 9:30 p.m.
According to Newsday, "A Suffolk sheriff's bus taking inmates from Central Islip court to Riverhead jail got stuck about 10 p.m. in Islandia as it tried to get onto the LIE from the service road, said Michael Sharkey, chief of staff for the sheriff's office. 'There's a hill, and they didn't get up the grade,' he said. Multiple sheriff's units were sent to secure the scene as attempts to move the bus stretched past midnight, Sharkey said. Garage personnel also were dispatched to get the bus moving, he said, and vans were on their way in case the inmates needed to be transferred."
CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez was amazed at the accumulation of snow, with some piles reaching five feet, "I have never seen anything like this. I grew up in the Midwest, where everyone talks about how it’s so much worse in the Midwest. I grew up in the Midwest, and I have never seen snow like this - an absolutely unbelievable sight."
Tagged
blizzard 2013
long island
long island expressway
nemo
snow
suffolk county
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
Ulrich, a former city councilmember, is accused of trading access and favors for cash and bribes. He was the first aide to Mayor Adams charged with public corruption.
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 8:01 a.m. ET
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .