A powerful microburst packing wind speeds up to 100 mph tore through parts of Steuben County Wednesday evening, leaving behind a narrow but intense path of storm damage, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm struck the town of Lindley around 7:46 p.m. April 15 and tracked east for several minutes before dissipating near the town of Caton by 7:53 p.m., based on preliminary findings from the National Weather Service office in Binghamton.
Meteorologists estimate peak wind speeds reached between 90 and 100 mph — strong enough to cause significant localized damage despite the storm’s short duration and limited footprint.
The National Weather Service defines a microburst as a concentrated column of sinking air within a thunderstorm, typically less than 2.5 miles wide. Despite their relatively small size, microbursts can produce destructive winds capable of downing trees, damaging structures and creating dangerous conditions at ground level.
Emergency officials began assessing damage shortly after the storm. Steuben County Director of Public Safety Tim Marshall traveled to Lindley the following morning to survey impacted areas and determine the extent of destruction.
The National Weather Service is expected to release an updated report after a full damage survey is completed.
While tornadoes often draw more attention, meteorologists note that microbursts can be just as dangerous due to their sudden onset and intense wind speeds. Severe weather risks increase during the warmer months, when atmospheric conditions are more favorable for strong thunderstorms.
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