Damaging Winds in New York, August 16, 1997

A line of severe thunderstorms moved rapidly east across the area. Thunderstorms produced high winds that downed numerous trees and powerlines. In addition to causing property damage, thunderstorms were directly responsible for the cause of 1 death and 6 injuries.In Orange County, high winds downed trees in Warwick and Middletown. A 63 mph peak wind gust was recorded at Stewart Airport.In Rockland County, high winds downed numerous trees and power lines across the entire county.In Manhattan, a roof blew off and landed on train tracks at the 125th Street Broadway Subway Station. A 58 mph peak wind gust was measured at Central Park.Across Westchester County, high winds downed numerous trees in Yorktown Heights and across several other locations countywide.In the Bronx, high winds downed a tree that crushed and killed a woman and seriously injured her two children.In Nassau County, high winds overturned a boat in Oyster Bay. A man and woman fell overboard. The man was injured, but later rescued. Unfortunately, the woman was accidently run-over by a power boat and later died. A 58 mph wind gust was reported in North Massapequa. High winds downed numerous trees and powerlines in Garden City.Over Suffolk County, a 60 mph wind gust was reported in North Babylon and a 65 mph gust was reported in Babylon.