New York, 1999

Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in New York, January 18, 1999

January 18, 1999 · NWS OKX · 5 events in 4 counties and zones

In Oakwood, lightning struck the chimney of a house that ignited a fire. In Bridgehampton, the National Weather Service confirmed that a strong microburst occurred near the intersection of Mecox Road and Horsemill Lane.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
1
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OKX wrote it up.

Thunderstorms and heavy showers occurred ahead of an approaching cold front.In Oakwood, lightning struck the chimney of a house that ignited a fire. Damage occurred to the chimney, kitchen, and living room.Thunderstorms produced a brief period of high winds and torrential rain across the region.In Queens, high winds caused a tree to fall on a car that injured a woman.In Bridgehampton, the National Weather Service confirmed that a strong microburst occurred near the intersection of Mecox Road and Horsemill Lane. This microburst exploded a greenhouse and scattered the debris about 200 yards to the north. In addition, a large tree, totally leafless, was uprooted right near the Greenhouse and several large trees and limbs were blown over in the immediate vicinity all falling in the same direction. Elsewhere in Suffolk County, many trees were downed from Sayville east through Riverhead.A brief period of torrential rain caused minor flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas, especially streets.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Richmond

When
January 18, 3:15 PM EST
Where
Richmond County, Oakwood Hgts
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
40.583, -74.150 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Richmond

When
January 18, 5:47 PM EST
Where
Richmond County, Staten Is
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
40.600, -74.180

Thunderstorm Wind, Queens

When
January 18, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Queens County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
40.700, -73.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Nassau

When
January 18, 6:16 PM EST
Where
Nassau County, Long Beach
Measured
54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
40.580, -73.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Suffolk

When
January 18, 7:25 PM EST
Where
Suffolk County, Sayville to Bridgehampton
Measured
75 kt (86 mph)
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
40.730, -73.080

What these are

Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New York in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, January 1999

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5696283, 5696279, 5696280, 5696281, 5696282.