Damaging Winds in New York, July 9, 1997

A bow echo type severe thunderstorm developed across northern sections of Broome county. The storm inflicted widespread wind damage in an area bounded by Whitney Point, Itaska, and Castle Creek shortly before 200 pm. The majority of the damage occurred in the town of Triangle. Numerous large trees were uprooted and utility poles were downed. Also, a small garage was blown down and an idled tractor trailer on Interstate 81 was toppled over.

The same storm that produced wind damage in northern Broome county moved across the southern tier of Chenango county and remained severe. Numerous large trees and power lines were downed in the town of Greene just after 100 pm. A spotter also reported wind gusts close to 55 mph. The storm continued east and blew aluminum siding off two buildings just outside of Greene and forced the closure of Route 12 due to downed trees in Brisben. In Coventry, a large tree was blown onto a house causing minor structural damage. In Oxford township, numerous trees were felled, one heavily damaging a parked vehicle. Finally, in Mount Upton in the southeastern portion of the county, Route 8 was closed as many trees were toppled onto the roadway.

A thunderstorm briefly reached severe limits over southeastern Sullivan county. A few trees and wires were downed in the town of Lumberland.

The same severe thunderstorm that produced widespread wind damage in northern Broome and southern Chenango counties ripped through southern Otsego county. Again, wind damage was the main story. To the southwest of Gilbertsville, trees and wires were blown down across Route 18. Further to the east, many additional trees and utility poles were toppled in both Otego and Oneonta.

The persistent bow echo moved into northern Delaware county and caused a bit more in the way of wind damage before finally weakening. Numerous large trees and wires were blown down across roadways both in Meredith and Davenport.