High Winds, Heavy Rain Shut Down Traffic Signals

Winds moving as fast as 38mph coupled with periods of heavy rainfall caused some trouble for local residents and drivers trying to get around Malverne and West Hempstead.

During the late morning hours of Dec. 1, the storm conditions cut power to the traffic signals at the busy intersection where Hempstead Avenue, Franklin Avenue and Hendrickson Avenue meet, near the Malverne-Lynbrook border.

The signals were out for several hours, while a Nassau County police officer directed traffic.

Throughout the village of Malverne, the police did not report any accidents or major incidents related to the storm.

"We had a few tree branches on wires, but they didn't cause anything," one Malverne police officer said. "They were mostly cable wires."

In West Hempstead, the strong gusts of wind left a trail of garbage cans recycling binds, flower pots, holiday decorations and several basketball hoops scattered on residents' lawns, driveways and streets.

The Long Island Power Authority reported a few power outages in Malverne and West Hempstead, which affected a handful of homes near Nassau Boulevard, Grange Street, Ocean Avenue, Eagle Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike.