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Post-Blizzard Cleanup Creates Unique Set Of Dangers For Drivers, Pedestrians, And Homeowners

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Up to 2.5-ft of snow fell on Long Island over the weekend, and many side roads are still snow covered and hazardous for drivers and pedestrians.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff explained, there's danger in the cleanup too.

Across Long Island the big dig went on two days after a record storm. Plows of every size and shape, both public and private worked the roadways as homeowners tried to clear intersections of the mounds of snow that buried sidewalks and driveways.

"I've been here 25 years and in the 25 years I've been here this is the worst job they're ever done," one Hicksville homeowner said.

The unhappy homeowner said Town of Hempstead plows blocked in driveways and intersections.

A town spokesman blamed homeowners for shoveling and blowing snow back into the streets, and said they're not supposed to do that during major storm cleanups.

"Then they get on us for throwing now in the streets, but if they had done their jobs I wouldn't have to do this," Ed Schulman said.

Doctors at Nassau University Medical Center sounded a warning for homeowners who were dangerously trying to clear jammed up snowblowers.

"We had two people who have finger amputations," Dr. Victor Politi said.

It's a hazard that landscapers take very seriously.

"God forbid you stick your finger in and the thing turns on. The propellers are going to take your fingers right off," Will Fernandez said.

Heart attacks are also a danger. Four Long Islanders died while shoveling and snow blowing.

"The heart has to work harder already because you're shoveling. On top of it you are constricting blood vessels, raising your heart rate and also your blood pressure, so take frequent brakes," Dr. Amgad Makaryus said.

In Lindenhurst, shoreline homeowners said if there was a silver lining to a snowbound weekend it's that fears of Sandy-like flooding came and went with the tide.

 

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