Local residents awoke on Dec. 30 to find approximately a foot of snow and a storm that is being called the biggest storm this area has seen in almost five years.

Many residents rushed to the supermarkets and stores on Friday to prepare for the massive snowfall. Shovels, ice-melt, batteries, flashlights and candles were hot commodities and hard to come by. Many anticipated power outages across Nassau County, but nothing as severe as was expected was reported.

Since the snow started to fall at approximately 4 a.m., those who were unprepared for the storm found themselves stuck on Saturday when they awoke. Many cars were blocked in with piles of snow and people were literally trapped in their houses.

Local roads and hills were filled with area children and parents trying to make the best of the situation by staying close to home and playing in the snow. Residents were advised by Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto to stay indoors whenever possible and not to drive on the slick roads.

Venditto had confidence in the town. "You can have the best trucks, best plows and biggest budget, but without a good crew you don't have anything. The residents can rest comfortably with the workforce of the Town of Oyster Bay," Venditto said.

There were emergency numbers set up for residents to call and local television news stations broadcast emergency information to keep residents abreast on the forceful storm.

The National Weather Service issued many warnings for areas throughout Long Island and these warnings were constantly changing. For future reference, the National Weather Service defines a Storm Watch as one where severe weather is possible within the designated watch area and residents should be alert. A warning, according to the National Weather Service, means that severe weather has been reported or is imminent and residents should take the necessary precautions.