Hail and Damaging Winds in New York, July 18, 1997

Two "waves" of severe thunderstorms moved southeast across the area: The first line of thunderstorms moved across Nassau and Western Suffolk Counties during the early afternoon. The second line of thunderstorms moved over the area during the evening. For the day, these thunderstorms caused two deaths and 24 injuries.Both lines of severe thunderstorms produced high winds. In addition, the first line produced large hail.Here are selected wind gusts from Western Suffolk County with the passage of the first line:o 60 mph at both Babylon and Farmingdale Airport.o 58 mph at Bohemia.Significant structural damage (several roofs were blown off businesses) resulted in five injuries in Deer Park. A NWS Meteorologist investigated this damage and concluded that it was caused by a microburst. At least 3 roofs were blown off: the K-Lombardi Repair Shop and 2 businesses on Price Parkway.In addition to the 1 inch diameter hail observed at Babylon, 3/4-inch diameter hail occurred at Deer Park.With the passage of the second line, two male workers were hurled off a scaffold at Aviation High School in Sunnyside Queens. Two other men that were on the scaffold were injured, as the scaffold collapsed.High winds caused two tents to collapse: one in Queens causing 16 injuries and one in Brooklyn causing 3 injuries.Lightning struck a two-story facility at 188 Sullivan Place in Brooklyn. It ignited a significant fire, that caused 1 death and 2 injuries.