Rain the worst of Smithtown’s storm experience Thursday
Top: Radar shows the moment a line of severe thunderstorms rolled onshore. The worst of the storms steer clear of Smithtown. Middle: LIPA reported power outages following the storms showing the relative calm across the middle of the island. Bottom: The sky outside Sertinos Cafe on West Main Street in Smithtown around 8 p.m.
Smithtown, NY (SmithtownRadio.com) – Smithtown residents missed the worst of Thursday’s storms as the heavier of the thunderstorms passed to the east and west of central Suffolk.
A graphic produced by the Long Island Power Authority after the storm showed a majority of the island’s power outages over Nassau County and Suffolk’s North Fork.
The worst of the storm-related travel problems came at area airports, where flights were cancelled and delayed.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center had placed much of New York – including the greater-Smithtown area – in a moderate risk for seeing severe weather. Such a classification is seen only a few times a year in our part of the country.
A warm front pushed through this morning and helped pushed afternoon highs to 88.
Ahead of the storms, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the opening State Emergency Operations Center.
“I urge all New Yorkers to take caution and pay attention to local radio and television reports for the latest information on the progress of these summer storms,” Governor Cuomo says. “Proper precautions undertaken now can help ensure that the strong winds and heavy rain cause as little damage as possible and that families and individuals are kept safe from harm.”
While we’re likely to see severe storms tonight, the region’s strongest storms and tornado threat stays to our north. We’re most certainly be dealing with power outages tonight so make sure to stock up on batteries and other storm supplies.
“Families and individuals should have an emergency kit and an emergency plan in place,” says New York State Office of Emergency Management Director Steven Kuhr. “Your emergency kit should include items such as non-perishable food, water, a portable radio, flashlights and extra batteries. Pay attention to Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages that carry local information and emergency orders, such as evacuation or travel restrictions. If emergency orders are issued, do not hesitate – take immediate action.”
