Repairs Begin After Destructive Storms Rip Through Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY – A powerful frontal system impacted the region this afternoon, bringing strong winds, hail and lightning, and interrupting electric service to more than 72,000 Central Hudson customers. Wind gusts up to 78 miles per hour were reported in southern Dutchess County, hail fell in portions of Ulster County and approximately 1,000 lighting strikes per hour were recorded during the height of the storm in the region. As of 6 p.m., nearly 400 individual damage locations were reported.

Central Hudson crews and damage assessment teams are addressing power outages and surveying damage locations. Approximately 100 mutual aid line workers from the Midwest are arriving to assist in power restoration, and in all a field force of more than 300 electric line and tree personnel has been assembled. Central Hudson anticipates restoration work could last through Thursday or later.

“This was a fast moving but highly destructive storm, centered on the Mid-Hudson Valley,” said Charles A. Freni, Senior Vice President of Customer Services and Transmission & Distribution. “Most of the damage was reported in the western and southern portions of our service area, including Ulster, Orange, Putnam and southern Dutchess counties. With the assistance of mutual aid crews we secured in advance, we are now assessing damage and working to restore electric service.”

An 11-year-old girl in the city of Newburgh was killed after a tree fell onto the car she was sitting in this afternoon. An adult in the Town of Newburgh was also killed when a tree fell on their car.

Numerous trees have been reported on roads, along with down power lines. Officials are asking motorists to be safe when traveling.