The first snowfall of the season took a major toll on Long Island drivers Sunday, taking some by surprise.Police confirmed three separate accidents within a quarter-mile stretch of the LIE near exit 55. Icy conditions occurred all along the highway.

"We had one accident and then we had cars that were sliding into that accident," said Sgt. Herb Schramm, with Suffolk Highway Patrol. "We incurred three or four accidents because of that one."

Drivers' vehicles also stalled on the side of the road.

The Town of Oyster Bay was ready to battle the snowfall. "It was supposed to be midday into the afternoon, into the evening," said Kevin Hanifan, of the Oyster Bay Highway Department. "But we had trucks loaded and we had men available, so we got men right in."

Forecasters predicted up to three inches of snowfall for the area but Long Island saw only about an inch. The storm moved away Sunday night, turning into rain.

AP wire reports contributed to this story.