A strong and rapidly intensifying low pressure system moved from the Great Lakes across Ontario and western Quebec during the morning and early afternoon of January 9th. A very strong low-level wind field with southwest winds in excess of 70 mph just above the surface moved across northern New York during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
These strong winds translated down to the surface and caused widespread wind damage in the form of numerous downed trees, tractor trailers blown over as well as structural damage to buildings throughout the St. Lawrence River Valley and northern Adirondacks. Some of this structural damage included portions of roofs blown off, snapped power poles, fallen trees on houses and vehicles, as well as the collapse of an barn and other buildings. Some of the greater impacted communities included |Massena, Oswegatchie, Potsdam, Brasher (St. Lawrence county) as well as Duane, Malone and Bellmont (Franklin county) where a barn and building collapsed from the damaging winds. Thousands of residents lost power in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties with temporary shelters opened throughout St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.
Some of the higher observed wind gusts included; Malone (Franklin county) at 68 mph, Massena (St. Lawrence county) at 66 mph and Potsdam (St. Lawrence county) with 59 mph. However, structural damage in Ogdensburg, Massena and Potsdam suggest wind gusts estimated around 80 mph and there was a measured 79 mph wind gust at Fort Drum in nearby Jefferson county.