Hail and Damaging Winds in New York, September 21, 2000

A line of thunderstorms, that formed ahead of a fast moving and powerful cold front , became locally severe as it moved into eastern New York during the early morning hours of September 21. Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines in Frankfort, Herkimer county. More trees were blown down at Fort Plain, Canajoharie and St. Johnsville, all in Montgomery county. Trees and wires were knocked down at Caroga Lake in Fulton county. Trees fell in Charlottesville, Schoharie county. In Schenectady county, trees were reported blown over in both Duanesburg and the city of Schenectady. Numerous trees fell in Rensselaerville and areas just to the north, in Albany county. By far, the most concentrated and severe damage took place at Ballston Spa in Saratoga county. A strong microburst, with winds estimated between 75 and 100 miles-an-hour, covered a swath 75 yards wide and 500 yards long. The microburst went through the Curtis Lumber facility. Winds destroyed a portion of the barn structure, scattering heavy lumber across the yard and removing roofing. The wind drove a piece of the roof through the cab of a parked truck cab, impaling the truck driver's left leg, and critically injuring him. He had to be removed from the vehicle by the Jaws of Life. Another passenger in the cab sustained superfiical injuries. Another nearby truck also sustained damage. An executive at Curtis Lumber reported spotting a funnel cloud, which was likely a minor vortex, spun up by downburst action. The official National Weather Service survey found no evidence of tornadic damage. The damage was in a large fan pattern consistant with an intense microburst. More trees fell in nearby in Ballston Spa and Galway. Another microburst hit the Town of Jackson, in Washington County, knocking over an estimated 1000 trees. Also in Washington county, trees were blown down at Fort Edward. There was one significant hail report with the storms. Nickel size hail was reported at Warrensburg in Warren County.