Power outages, damage to trees, and difficult travel. All three made headlines as strong winds battered the Finger Lakes, Western New York, and Central New York over the last 24 hours.
The National Weather Service had issued a High Wind Warning for the entire region. It covered almost all of Upstate New York. While some strong winds will still be possible during the day on Monday – things will begin settling down as the day progresses. The Wind Warnings will expire this afternoon and evening.
Widespread power outages were observed around the Finger Lakes.
See the latest power outages here:
NSYEG Outages | RG&E Outages | National Grid Outages
Governor Andrew Cuomo banned empty tractor trailers from the New York State Thruway throughout the event. That ban runs from Exit 31 in Utica to Exit 61 in Ripley. There are also bans on those vehicles across I-490, I-590, I-390, and at State Route 104 at the Bay Bridge. This expires at the end of the day today.
Scroll down to see the latest reports and photos from social media throughout the event.
Useful Links
FingerLakes1.com Weather Center | Latest Closings & Delays | National Weather Service Alerts
More Coverage
– NYSEG and RG&E set up emergency offices and road crews across Rochester area (WHEC-TV)
– Power outages, travel advisories, flight delays and cancellations (WHEC-TV)
– Thousands of power outages amid Sunday windstorm (13WHAM-TV)
– High wind warning continues through Monday AM (13WHAM-TV)
– Multiple counties issue travel advisories due to windy weather (13WHAM-TV)
– Central New York feels impact of strong winds (CNYCentral.com)
– Damaging Winds Continue into Monday (Spectrum News)
– High winds roar through Rochester, and Ontario County (Spectrum News)
– Central New York getting battered by high winds (Spectrum News)
– Tips For Driving During a Wind Storm (Spectrum News)
On Social
Whiteout conditions. 4:50 AM on Cooley Road in Canandaigua. Camera is mounted on dash…I’m not holding it! pic.twitter.com/j8ffmYJRZ6
— Doug Emblidge (@dougemblidge) February 25, 2019
It’s not over yet. Some strong wind gusts by the river at 4:45 AM. #roc @SPECNewsROC pic.twitter.com/HZ0uWKtj0u
— scott barstow (@barstow_scott) February 25, 2019
It’s 4:45 AM and this is outside the Public Safety Training Facility on Scottsville Rd. Will be getting an update from the County soon. @13WHAM pic.twitter.com/B3LLmsH61P
— Jennifer Johnson (@JJ_Rochester) February 25, 2019
Force of nature at Sodus Point @wnywxguy @wxbywilliams @john_kucko @spensgen @StormFrontWX @WeatherNation @WizardWeather @StormHour @EarthandClouds2 @SodusPoint pic.twitter.com/z6pmjkSlWf
— Jerome Davis (@jdavis2731) February 25, 2019
Fairport right now. It is SNOWING and it is BLOWING. Wow! pic.twitter.com/LS6xcLK4PG
— Stacey Pensgen (@WHEC_SPensgen) February 25, 2019
A number of 911 calls around the county for trees and wires down. This large tree blocked the road on Tryon Park off of Winton rd. Workers just arrived to remove the tree. #roc @SPECNewsROC pic.twitter.com/ov34wZIJDb
— scott barstow (@barstow_scott) February 25, 2019
Wind knocked the scaffolding off the side of a building on N Townsend St. Syracuse police say there does not appear to be any injuries. An employee with St. Joseph’s told me he saw flashing lights like a transformer blew before it fell #LocalSYR #StormTeamAlert @NewsChannel9 pic.twitter.com/NMPIzMb6Fm
— Nicole Sommavilla (@NeSommavilla) February 25, 2019
Thank you to all of the Linemen and Linewomen out there tonight keeping the lights on! pic.twitter.com/E1MLXgbw3C
— Amorette Miller ? (@Amorettemiller) February 25, 2019
We're half way through the windstorm. Here are some pictures from tonight in Hamlin, Brighton, Rochester. Watch @News_8 at 11 for latest #windstorm @spensgen @AdamChodak @KaylaGreen04 pic.twitter.com/MrCZPzTNlg
— Maureen McGuire (@MaureenMcGuire8) February 25, 2019
Our 911 communications officers on duty this evening. A few weather related calls for down power lines. If traveling on the highways please watch for debris in the roads and traffic signals that are out. Sheriff Henderson @OCSOhenderson pic.twitter.com/MoysnCdk4R
— Ontario Co. Sheriff (@OntarioSheriff) February 25, 2019
Some lucky people here in Hilton. We’re talking with them now. #rocwindstorm @News_8 pic.twitter.com/HDJq0rpjIP
— Adam Chodak (@AdamChodak) February 24, 2019
Our latest briefing on the high wind event Sunday into Monday is available here: https://t.co/hfKAgEZuq7 #nywx #pawx pic.twitter.com/zhCH26ayWb
— NWS Binghamton (@NWSBinghamton) February 23, 2019
Strong winds will cause a seiche with flooding along the eastern shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Near record levels possible on Lake Erie. Ice chunks may flow over the ice boom with flooding possible along the Niagara River. pic.twitter.com/9deAuBBj25
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) February 23, 2019
Here are our forecasts for winds exceeding 60, 65, 70, and 75 MPH Sunday-Sunday Night. Strongest winds are expected along and east-northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, extending inland across the lower terrain from the Buffalo Southtowns to Batavia and Rochester. pic.twitter.com/i6EcIAirSv
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) February 23, 2019
Governor Cuomo deploys state resources to western New York and Finger Lakes in advance of significant wind storm https://t.co/dg8fQ3E0Wf #NYPrepare
— NYS Div. of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (@NYSDHSES) February 23, 2019
You’ll wake up Sunday morning with a stiff breeze. The damaging winds move in RAPIDLY with a cold front around noon. Damaging gusts 65-70 (70+ possible) for AT LEAST a few hours late afternoon/evening, then 60+ continuing all night. Power outages continually a problem. #roc
— Stacey Pensgen (@WHEC_SPensgen) February 23, 2019
I am prepared to declare a State of Emergency at some point tomorrow, depending on the impact of the wind. Residents should be ready for potential travel restrictions to be in place across the County in the afternoon hours.
— Cheryl Dinolfo (@CherylDinolfo) February 23, 2019
Upgrade to a **High Wind Warning** for most of eastern New York Sunday evening to Monday evening. High Wind Watch expanded to include the rest of the region including western New England: https://t.co/E0Ej7VyNIC pic.twitter.com/cGYnGZ0rsk
— NWS Albany (@NWSAlbany) February 23, 2019
@NYSEandG encourages customers to sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or email as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. This information is also available online at https://t.co/t2Eo6wghOg
— NYSEG (@NYSEandG) February 23, 2019
WOW. Some modeling is suggesting wave heights on the eastern end of Lake Ontario could reach 27 feet Sunday night/Monday due to the coming high wind event. I say again…WOW. #LakeOntario #GalesOfFebruary pic.twitter.com/qlM5jD4rVF
— Kevin Williams (@wxbywilliams) February 23, 2019
Thruway Executive Director Matthew J Driscoll joins Governor Cuomo in WNY ahead of strong winds expected Sunday.
REMINDER- Empty tractor trailer/tandem bam begins Sunday at 10am between exits 31 and 61 and all of I-190. #windstorm pic.twitter.com/JNLBvx9iwh
— NYS Thruway Authority (@NYSThruway) February 23, 2019
Very strong, damaging winds are expected Sunday through early Monday. Power outages may be widespread and last for several days in some areas. Here is power outage safety information to share. #nywx pic.twitter.com/QjGvJWUv1h
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) February 23, 2019
TRAVELER ALERT WNY/CNY – Due to the forecasted winds, an empty tractor trailer and empty tandem ban will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday on I-90 between exit 31 (Utica) and exit 61 (Ripley – PA Line), as well as the Niagara Thruway (I-190). READ MORE –>
— NYS Thruway Authority (@NYSThruway) February 22, 2019
Always stay away from downed power lines. Even lines that appear dormant can be deadly. Refrain from removing tree debris that may be entangled with downed power lines.
Please call RG&E at 1.800.743.1701 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations. pic.twitter.com/IxKjQhNwcO
— RG&E (@RGandE) February 22, 2019
We are preparing for the high wind weather event that is forecast for Sunday evening into Monday. Here are a few things you can do. Be sure to follow along with us for all the latest updates and tips. pic.twitter.com/CMubJxWeqb
— NYSEG (@NYSEandG) February 22, 2019
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