Tropical Storm — Rockland, New York

2011-08-28 · Rockland, New York

Event narrative

The ASOS at LaGuardia Airport measured sustained east winds at 45 knots with peak gusts from the southeast at 58 knots.

The ASOS at Westchester County Airport measured a peak wind gust from the west at 49 knots.

One child and one man came into contact with downed electrical wires after the storm and were electrocuted in Rockland County.

Wider weather episode

As Hurricane Irene moved north along the Atlantic coast and interacted with land, it weakened and made its second landfall as a Tropical Storm near Little Egg Inlet along the southeast NJ Coast on August 28, 2011 around 5:35 am EDT. Tropical Storm Irene made its third landfall in New York City around 9:00 am.

Irene brought sustained tropical storm winds, heavy rain, and destructive storm surge along with two confirmed tornadoes.

Seven deaths occurred:

one 53 year old man was found dead after a 3 hr. rescue effort after his boat overturned in strong rapids while boating in the Croton River in Croton (Westchester County)

one 68 year old man drowned in a marina off City Island in the Bronx; where he had gone to check on his boat.

one 52 year old man drove through flood waters around 3 barricades and drowned in the Town of Tuxedo in Orange County, NY.

one older man died wind surfing in Suffolk County during the afternoon of 8/28/2011

one 51 year old man fell 30 feet from a 60-foot high tree while trimming large tree branches in Roslyn Heights in Nassau County on 9/9/2011.

one child came into contact with downed electrical wires and was electrocuted in Rockland County; died 9/10-11/2011

one man came into contact with downed electrical wires and was electrocuted in Rockland County

At least 600,000 people were ordered (both voluntary and mandatory) to evacuate from storm surge and fresh water inland flooding.

Widespread power outages lasted up to 1 week following Tropical Storm Irene.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 350103. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.