New York

Thousands Still Without Power Across Tri-State After Bomb Cyclone's Powerful Winds Knocked Down Trees

"Winds at these speeds can cause flying debris, turn unsecured objects into projectiles and cause power outages," NYC's emergency management office warned

What to Know

  • Strong winds plagued the tri-state through much of the day Thursday, leaving thousands in the dark after a bomb cyclone dumped heavy rain
  • There were still thousands throughout the tri-state area without power into Thursday night, including nearly 3,700 on Long Island
  • The weather improves a bit leading into the weekend, with sunny skies forecast both Friday and Saturday amid highs in the low-to-mid 60s

Strong winds plagued the tri-state area through much of the day Thursday, leaving thousands in the dark a day after a bomb cyclone dumped heavy rain and brought down trees, as well as a building, across the region. 

Gusts around 60 mph were reported over the region — places like Breezy Point saw gusts in the 50s after a 76 mph whopper overnight — while Storm Team 4 and power companies warned more downed trees and power lines are expected into late Thursday.

Authorities said they'd gotten reports of more than 300 downed trees in the city by lunchtime. Around 2:30 p.m., two men were at Hudson River Park near Pier 63 when a they were struck by a falling tree, according to a law enforcement source. Both men, in their 40s, were injured and taken to the hospital, but are expected to recover.

Tens of thousands of people throughout Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester County and Connecticut were without power, and many of the utilities were not expecting to get everyone back Thursday night. There were around 20,000 in the dark in Connecticut, according to Eversource, and about 3,700 without power on Long Island, PSE&G said.

The city issued a word of caution earlier Thursday, saying, "Winds at these speeds can cause flying debris, turn unsecured objects into projectiles and cause power outages." High wind warnings and wind advisories remain in effect for a number of tri-state counties through Thursday.  

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Winds aside, Thursday was a cooler day overall, featuring a mix of sun and clouds as highs struggled to make it out of the 50s. Winds will continue to weaken Friday, through conditions should stay breezy. The gusts will dry up any lingering puddles left by Wednesday's storm, when it rained for nearly eight straight hours. 

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The weather improves leading into the weekend, with sunny skies and low 60s forecast for Friday (although some breezy conditions may persist into the day) and a tiny bit warmer on Saturday, though cloudier, conditions expected on Sunday. The threat for more showers returns Tuesday.

The brought down loads of trees and knocked out power to thousands on Long Island, with the utility company predicting more will lose power by the time the night is done. NBC New York’s Greg Cergol reports.

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