Severe storms bring heavy downpours, thunder and gusty winds to Tri-State area

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

AccuWeather Alert: Gusty t-storms move through

Severe thunderstorms are moving in Monday evening, bringing strong wind gusts and the possibility for isolated tornadoes. Lee Goldberg has an update.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Severe thunderstorms brought showers and gusty winds throughout parts of the Tri-State area, triggering warnings and watches Monday evening.

While parts west of New York City saw the brunt of the storm, areas closer to the city were hit with diminishing returns as it moved off shore.

However, the storm system brought with it a threat for high winds with gusts up to 60 mph, severe hail and the possibility of an isolated tornado.

As a result, the Office of Emergency Management issued a travel advisory for Monday in New York City.

No flash flooding was anticipated, but localized nuisance flooding was possible during periods of heavy rainfall.

CLICK HERE to get the latest AccuWeather forecast.

Governor Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to take precautions before the system swept across parts of the Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Capital, Mid-Hudson, and North Country regions, with an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms.

CLICK HERE for the latest local alerts from the National Weather Service.

Hochul urged New Yorkers to use caution and stay alert throughout the day in areas expected to be impacted by severe weather for rapidly changing conditions.

"It is critical that New Yorkers use caution today and stay prepared as severe weather is likely to impact many parts of the state," she said. "The storm system moving through New York has the potential to cause power outages and downed tree limbs and power lines, and I am urging anyone in the path of these storms to keep a close eye on the weather and be prepared to act quickly if severe weather strikes."

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Preparedness:

--Know the county in which you live and the names of nearby cities. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county basis.

--Learn the safest route from your home or business to high, safe ground should you have to leave in a hurry.

--Develop and practice a 'family escape' plan and identify a meeting place if family members become separated.

--Make an itemized list of all valuables including furnishings, clothing and other personal property. Keep the list in a safe place.

--Stockpile emergency supplies of canned food, medicine and first aid supplies and drinking water. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.

--Plan what to do with your pets.

--Have a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and emergency cooking equipment available.

--Keep your vehicle fueled or charged. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.

--Have disaster supplies on hand, including flashlight and extra batteries, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit and manual, emergency food and water, non-electric can opener, essential medicines, checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Flash Flooding

--Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.

--If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.

--Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

--Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.

--Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.

--If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

Tornado

--If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.

--If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.

--If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.

--If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators - use stairs instead.

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