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LIE, Sunrise Highway Closed to Non-emergency Vehicles

With road conditions deteriorating as a Nor’easter continues to roll through Long Island, Suffolk County police announced two major highways have been closed to only emergency vehicles.

A Suffolk County police spokesman confirmed that the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway will be closed due to the strong winter storm that has spawned whipping winds and a large amount of snowfall in some areas.

Snowfall amounts throughout the Island are ranging from less than five inches to more than nine as of 9:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service has said that the most severe weather would hit the Island from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday.

A blizzard warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday.

Wind gusts of more than 40 mph has already been recorded in Islip, Eatons Neck and Westhampton Beach, the NWS said on its website.

It’s unclear when authorities will reopen both roads to drivers.

The storm has caused dangerous conditions on other local roadways, according to the New York State Department of Transportation, which reported that a downed tree at Hulse Landing Road in Riverhead has closed Route 25A in both directions.