Dangerous Winds Wreak Havoc
Doug La Rocque
Wind gusts measured in many areas over 60 miles per hour and caused thousands in the eastern portion of Rensselaer County to go without power for a good portion of Monday, February 25. Trees snapped like twigs, coming down on power lines, causing not only the loss of electricity but dangerous driving conditions as well. Many high profile vehicles had a hard time staying in their own lane.
In Grafton, Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum tells The Eastwick Press many shingles were blown off the west side of the town hall roof. Fortunately, no one was injured by the flying fragments, but some portions of the roof are exposed and subject to leaking, particularly over the ambulance bay and some storage areas. Ms. Gundrum says an insurance claim is already being prepared, so repairs can be made as soon as possible. She also said Monday’s wind storm “should be a wake up call to everyone in the town, that we are starting to experience more incidents of severe weather, and the town and its residents should start to prepare for it.” The Supervisor says cutting back brush and tree canopy over many town roads is also something that needs to be looked at this spring.
In Hoosick Falls, Fire and Department of Public Works crews were kept busy all day with downed trees and power lines. One homeowner reported several large pieces of siding were blown off his house. In Berlin, Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger said at one point, 808 New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) customers were without power, most if not all had service restored Monday night. The lights were off in many areas of Petersburgh as well, with NYSEG hoping to have most if not all service restored by mid-day on Tuesday.