High Wind in Ontario, New York

Deep low pressure tracked across southern Ontario and brought strong, damaging winds to the entire area. The winds downed trees and power lines. Over 100,000 customers were left without power. The falling trees and poles damaged homes and automobiles. Specific reports of damage were received from Shortsville, Pittsford, Batavia, Buffalo, Tonawanda, Jamestown, Attica, Avon, Sodus and Silver Creek. In Oswego, a 165-foot cell phone tower was toppled, destroying a county Sheriff SUV. In Stockton, 35 cattle were killed in a barn collapse. Barn collapses were also reported in Elma and Pittsford. Tractor trailers jack-knifed or were blown over in Victor, East Bloomfield, Lyons, Buffalo and LeRoy. Roofs were blown off houses in Rochester and Oswego. School districts in several counties closed. Several major radio and television stations were knocked off the air including Channel 13 in Rochester. At the Buffalo-Niagara Airport, a jet was turned by the wind. The wing struck a boarding bridge and the plane and bridge were damaged. The Buffalo Airport operated on backup generators for several hours. Numerous flights at both the Buffalo and Rochester airports were delayed. In Gaines, a double wide mobile home was split and overturned. A gasoline pump in Rochester was blown over. The gas spilled and ignited. Several other fires, though not started by weather conditions, were fueled and spread by the strong winds. The strong winds blew out windows in parts of Wayne and Monroe counties. One person was injured in Rochester being hit by flying glass. Another injury due to the storm occurred in Buffalo when a woman was blown over and suffered a broken leg. A 37-year old woman was killed in Victor when a tree fell onto her car as she was driving by. She suffered massive head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses said she had no time to even brake or swerve.