High Wind in New York, October 15, 2003

As a strong area of low pressure moved along the Saint Lawrence River Valley, its' associated cold front traversed Southeast New York early on the morning of Wednesday, October 15th. This system strengthened during the day as it moved across Southeast Canada. Meanwhile, high pressure moved from the Southern Plains across to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states as the day progressed. The difference in pressure between the departing low and the approaching high resulted in a persistent strong wind that reached 45 MPH sustained at 115 pm and gusted as high as 54 MPH at 220 pm at John F. Kennedy International Airport. In addition, a 54 MPH gust was recorded at 217 pm at Farmingdale Republic Airport; a 49 MPH gust was recorded at LaGuardia Airport at 807 pm, and a 47 MPH gust was recorded at Westchester County Airport at 1255 pm.There were widespread reports of damage from these winds that were obtained primarily from the print media as well as from Skywarn spotters. Here are selected wind damage reports:A 75 foot tall Maple Tree fell onto and destroyed the 52 by 52 foot deck of a house on Tadler Drive in Mahopac.In Smithtown, a tree along the Long Island Railroad tracks on Redwood Lane tore down power lines and destroyed a utility pole as it fell. This resulted in the loss of power for 2300 customers as well as the closure of Landing Avenue from Bridlepath Road to Blydenburgh Avenue. A large tree and a number of utility lines were knocked down and blocked Broadway in Dobbs Ferry.Several roads had to be closed due to downed trees between Suffern and Pomona in Rockland County.Numerous trees and large branches were downed in West Islip, including a large tree that fell across Sylvia Drive.Several trees were snapped in half, and numerous branches and tree limbs were downed in Howard Beach. In addition, some telephone lines snapped and were hanging off the utility poles.Estimated damage costs were at least $100 thousand dollars.