News Summary
On Thursday morning, the Tri-State area faced severe thunderstorms that led to significant disruptions, particularly at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Travelers experienced ground stops and ongoing delays throughout the day. The storm caused extensive damage, with downed trees in Orange County crushing vehicles and leaving residents navigating impassable roads. Power outages affected over 3,000 homes in Yorktown, resulting in school closures. New Jersey also reported tornado-like winds, leaving towns disheveled. As recovery efforts begin, communities are urged to remain vigilant and cautious.
Severe Thunderstorms Rattle the Tri-State Area
On a rather chaotic Thursday morning, the Tri-State area found itself in the middle of a weather upheaval as severe thunderstorms swept through, leaving a trail of destruction and confusion in their wake. The stormy weather caused major disruptions, especially at the region’s busy airports, sparking ground stops at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports around 10 a.m. Although flights resumed by noon, travelers still faced delays that lingered throughout the day, making it a frustrating experience for many.
Winds That Could Almost Knock You Over
The storm brought along with it some seriously strong winds, which residents described as being nearly horizontal! Visibility dropped dramatically as hail tumbled down, creating dangerous conditions for anyone caught outside. Reports from Orange County, specifically the lovely town of Greenwood Lake, indicated extensive damage, including downed trees that crushed vehicles and posed a danger to homes.
In fact, two middle school buses found themselves stranded due to impassable roads, with students aboard thankfully safe and sound. But for residents trying to navigate the area, some roads were better left avoided. Folks were advised to steer clear of Jersey Avenue, East Shore Road, Edgemere Avenue, Waterstone Bridge, and 17A as they dealt with the aftermath of the storm.
Power Outages & School Closures
The havoc wasn’t limited to just fallen trees. Over in Yorktown, more than 3,000 homes lost power due to broken tree branches that took down power lines. Brookside School had to call for an early dismissal, as the entire building was left in the dark due to a complete outage. Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman reported some rather alarming incidents, such as a house being struck by lightning. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but the storm left many residents on edge.
Storm-related incidents didn’t stop there; brush fires and even transformer fires were linked to this weather nightmare. With so much chaos, it became a race against time for emergency crews who were dispatched to handle the various emergencies brought about by the storms.
New Jersey Feeling the Heat
Staying Safe
As communities across the Tri-State area slowly recover from this unexpected storm, residents are reminded to exercise caution. While brighter skies may be on the horizon, the aftermath of severe thunderstorms can linger for days. People should stay updated on local conditions and avoid dangerous areas where damage has occurred.
With all that said, we hope everyone remains safe and sound as the clean-up begins and life tries to return to normal. Here’s hoping for clear skies and gentle breezes in the days ahead!
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Additional Resources
- WSPA: Severe Thunderstorm Causes Major Damage to Lake Greenwood Homes
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- The Weather Channel: Today’s Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Index Journal: Thousands Without Power After Storm
- Google News: Severe Thunderstorm News
Author: HERE Greenwood
The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
