Nassau, Suffolk send help to snowed-in Buffalo

Suffolk and Nassau counties have sent a convoy of trucks, equipment and workers to Buffalo to assist with snow removal, officials said Thursday.

The state Emergency Management Office asked Wednesday if local governments would be able to assist Buffalo, parts of which were buried under 6 feet of snow. Forecasters are predicting up to 2 feet of additional snow.

"When we got the call yesterday asking for assistance for Buffalo, my response was absolutely, whatever they need," County Executive Steve Bellone said from a department of public works yard in Commack.

County Executive Edward Mangano deployed seven workers, two dump truck/plows, and three payloaders to Buffalo, a Mangano spokesman said Thursday.

Suffolk sent two payloaders, which are carried on two trucks, and two dump trucks. The county also sent a foreman and six operators for the equipment so they can work 24-hour shifts, said county spokeswoman Vanessa Baird-Streeter.

The cost to Suffolk is estimated at $4,300 per day. Most mutual aid deployments last three to five days, she said.

The Suffolk crew left for Buffalo at 11:45 a.m. and will get an assignment at the site.

SEE PHOTOSSnowstorms that buried LI over the past 100-plus years

Buffalo sent aid to Long Island during superstorm Sandy and the February 2013 blizzard, Baird-Streeter said.

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.