Severe winds cause power outages and property damage

CHENANGO COUNTY – Powerful winds swept through Chenango County on Wednesday causing trees and power lines to fall.

The National Weather Service in Binghamton issued a wind advisory from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. yesterday. According to the weather service, a cold front which came through the area early Wednesday brought with it strong winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour. Wind gusts of 45 miles per hour were frequent, especially during the morning hours.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. NYSEG reported an interruption in its electrical lines as a result of severe winds. New York State Electric and Gas spokesman Jim Salmon said the issues had all been resolved as of press time this morning. “Currently there aren’t any customers without power. Downed trees coming across the lines and a few broken poles scattered throughout the area caused the interruption.”

Chenango Memorial Hospital lost power for just over an hour and Salmon said crews immediately responded and had the building fully operational by noon yesterday.

“We really appreciate the support we have received in going about our work, and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding,” said Mark Mahlmeister, NYSEG’s manager of regional operations.

Mahlmeister said fierce wind damage associated with the cold front damaged NYSEG’s electricity delivery system, leaving approximately 4,300 customers in the local division without power. The company reported the majority of the customers impacted were located in Chenango and Otsego counties.