Rochester, NY - Ike Winds downs trees, knocks out power

By Rikki Van Camp

After a night of high winds and poor sleep, residents woke up this morning to find more yard work ahead. A willow limb came down in this Buffalo Street yard. In Palmyra, a 200-year-old tree fell on a house.

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Did you hear the winds last night? At one point I thought that someone was trying to kick in my window air conditioner. When I checked no one was there, but tree branches were laying on the ground. Apparently one flew at my A/C. It scared the living day lights out of me.

Come to find out it was the remnants of Hurricane Ike. Yes, all the way in upstate New York! "wind speeds reached 60 miles an hour." "More than 63,100 people in the Rochester area this morning were without power after the remnants of Tropical Storm Ike whipped through the region early today"...Across the area, downed and sparking power lines, flaming transformers and trees blocking roadways caused headaches for residents and emergency crews alike...The county 911 center fielded well over 200 calls between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., an amount usually reserved for blizzards and ice storms, said Sheriff Phil Povero...In Monroe County, PittsfordMendon High School and Northwood Elementary School in Hilton were closed today as a result of the storm." At lest four other schools had two hour delays.

"A lot of people lost power overnight but the town of Palmyra lost a part of its history. A 200-year-old tree crashed into a farmhouse that once belonged to one of the town's founding residents." "Winds knocked down several large trees, including a historic 120-year-old, 150-foot-tall Northern Red Oak, at Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua early today."

As for me I'm fine. My power never went out, but the T.V. reception went out now and then. I can't believe this was the remnants of Hurricane Ike. It's days like today that I'm glad that I live in Rochester. The worse that we get is an occasional Blizzard, or Ice Storm. Your power might go out, you might be stranded at home for several days, but normally your life and property are safe.

OF SPECIAL NOTE, several large trees and power lines are blocking parts of Scottsville Road and other nearby streets in Scottsville and Chili Center. There are also several reports of similar scenes in the Pittsford and Perinton and the Mendon, Fishers area. Also"RG&E workers are handing out bottled water and dry ice to any customers without power at 195 Muchroom Blvd., in Henrietta until 10 pm Monday night, and again from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday."



Folks please give to the Red Cross if you can. They are there to help during emergencies. Currently 55 volunteers from Rochester, N.Y. are in Tyler Texas helping out with hurricane efforts. Also 4,000 Red Cross volunteers are helping out nation wide. Red Cross funds are down due to recent hurricanes.

Rochester & Finger lakes donations phone 585-241-441 or Rochester Red Cross website

And national Red Cross website.


Main source & photo MPN now.com

You can read more...
Democrat and Chronicle.com Winds knock out power to over 63,000
13wham: RG&E Hands Out Water, Dry Ice - 23,000 Still Without Power
High Winds for Ike Sweep Rochester Area
13wham: High Winds from Ike Sweep Rochester Area
13wham: Wind storm destroys part of Palmyra history

Severe Thunderstorms with Hail, Spells Disaster for Upstate NY

HAIL NO! On June 16th the Upstate New York, (NY), area got pounded by rain, and hail during a severe thunderstorms with winds sometimes exceeding 60 mph. The hail ranged in size from pennies to golf balls. It looked like it had snowed in some areas. It was the worst hail storm in years. The state agriculture commissioner will survey hail damage suffered by upstate orchards.

Agriculture officials say apple, peach, strawberry and cherry crops from the Niagara Frontier east to the Hudson Valley suffered extensive damage. Some growers reported losing as much as 75 percent of their crops in the storm, which also damaged corn and other vegetable crops.

Officials in Wayne County, on Lake Ontario just east of Rochester, have called on Gov. David Paterson to declare the county a disaster area.

The storms knocked out power to nearly 10,000 RG&E customers in Gates and Rochester.

It was a strange start to Wegmans LPGA week as hail fell during a weather delay at Locust Hill Country Club.

As for my area, we had a thunderstorms on and off all day, but no hail. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed.


This post was based on readings from...

Newsday.com

Buffalo News

WHEC-TV 10

And another WHEC-TV 10 article

View slide show here

Severe Thunderstorm Slam Rochester Area Now

Several severe thunderstorm are hitting the Rochester NY, Monroe county area. We had 60 MPH winds in Geneva for example. Some areas had Tornado watches, large hail, trees down. One woman on the news said, "My tress just fell like matchsticks." Thousands in the area lost power. Syracuse got hit badly too with 30,000? losing power. The worst is over for Rochester, but not some surrounding areas.

Basically now west of Rochester looks good except for East Lockport. But another round of storms are due to hit East and South of Rochester including Wayne, Ontario, Yates, and Penn Yam counties. Dansville, Wayland, and Naples are being hit now. The storm could include large hail, strong winds, downed trees, and loss of power.

The good news is that it cooled off the area. We went from 86 degrees to 72 in no time. Finally relief after several days of 90ish degree weather. It's odd to turn off the A/C after it has been on non stop for days.


Get the latest including a slid show at 13WHAM

For more about the first storm - Democrat & Chronicle
"The first storm swept through the area midmorning. That fast-moving storm included about 10 minutes of heavy rain, whipping winds, frequent lightening and small penny-sized hail. Winds were recorded in excess of 60 mph. At peak, about 8,100 properties in the region were in the dark." Several schools were closed....

Domino's Pizza Customer Appreciation Day - June 1st

This is a great sale, bargain, savings. Domino's Pizza is having a Customer Appreciation day on June 1st. It's only for one day. You can get a 14" Large 1-Topping only pizza for the low price of $4.99 (plus tax)! Regular price is $10.99. Carry out only. Limit is 5 pizzas. Delivery available on purchase of 2 or more pizzas. I don't know if this sale is nation wide, but it's in the Rochester, New York (NY) area. I got the flyer through the mail, but have not seen any Television ads. If your interested, you might want to call first. Prices my be different in your area. I don't think that you need a coupon. Remember it's for ONE DAY ONLY - June 1st... Happy June!!!

Wordless Wednesday (Kind of) Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY

This picture is of the Lilac Festival in Highland Park, Rochester, NY. Rochester is known as the Flower City. Click on the picture to see many more beautiful photos. The Festival is taking place now - May 9 to 18. Admission is free. For official website click here.


News Articles...

Lilac Festival takes root in history
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, NY - May 12, 2008
That, as much as anything, is an indication of how Rochester's Lilac Festival has evolved. The lilac collection in Highland Park now numbers some 1200 ...

Hundreds turn out for Rochester Lilac Festival parade
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Schedule of events at Rochester Lilac Festival
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Rochester's Lilac Festival draw families, youngsters
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Record Weekend at Lilac Festival
13WHAM-TV, NY - May 12, 2008
(Rochester, NY) -- Organizers estimate 225000 visitors came to Highland Park for...

Rochester N.Y. Weather - Snow Storm !

Yes, Rochester is going to have another snow storm. We are still having winter weather here. We have enjoyed a few days above freezing, but here we go again. The early daylight savings time has thrown me off. It feels like we should have spring weather. The storm won't be bad. Nothing we can't handle. But don't put your snow shovels away yet.

Forecast-

Evening Rain and Snow Mixed, Low 30° WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF WESTERN NEW YORK FROM 8PM THURSDAY UNTIL NOON FRIDAY A mix of rain and wet snow arriving this evening, then changing to wet snow overnight. Much of the area should see 2-4" of snow by morning, but further south of Rochester, in the higher elevations, 4-8" of heavy, wet snow is possible by morning.
Tomorrow Mostly Cloudy with Snow, High 35°, Low 22° WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY Steady snow will taper to snow showers through the day, but not before additional accumulations occur.
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On T.V. they said the higher the elevation the more snow. The higher areas in the Finger lakes could get up to 10 inches of snow. Some power outages, and falling tree limbs are expected there.

Information from: 13 WHAM

CBS "Early Show" reports from Rochester, NY (Weather)

Dave Price from the CBS Early Show broadcasted the weather live from downtown Rochester this morning. He also talked live with News 8 Now at Sunrise. If you missed it, you can see the video. He summerised our situation by saying that we got "6 inches of snow, and expect 6 inches more". The rest of todays forecast- windy, gusts up to 30 mph, high18. Anchor Harry Smith kept saying, "Ra cha cha". It was Surreal seeing my city on a national program.

The weather made for a tricky morning commute with some accidents. The snow is likely to keep piling on. Parents were surprised to find that Rochester schools were not closed. Maybe snow days have been used up. It has been a difficult winter. I'm sure that some parents kept their children home.

The snow fall as of noon today is 9 inches at the airport. The storm is expected to continue until tonight, bringing another few inches of snow. About a foot of snow in all. The worst is over.

I talked with a woman who lives in Bushnell's Basin. She said that every time there is a storm her power has gone out, four times so far. And that was before this latest storm. It has been a difficult winter.

Well, it's time for me to get my shovel, and dig out my car like Mr. Dararaksmey in the photo. Hot cocoa will be my reward when I come in. ;o)

The Photo - Rich Dararaksmey of Rochester shovels to free his car from a heavy overnight snowfall on Morningside Park on Wednesday. Photo from D & C.

Weather Alert - Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse - "Major Winter Storm"

I asked some people yesterday if they had heard the latest on the coming snow storm. I don't have cable t.v., so thought that others would be more up so date on the weather. The reply was alway the same, "What snow storm?

Updated at 5:30 p.m Monday night.

There is a winter storm watch in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening.

Rochester has been hit with so many midweek storms of the mixed precipitation type, that I think we have stopped listening. Most storms have been mild to moderate. This one is different, it's a "major snow storm", and will be long in duration. It will be mostly snow, and lots of it! 10 to 16 inches of snow near Rochester city, within 36 hours. Localized tallies of 16" to 20" in parts of Wayne, Northern Monroe, and Northern Orleans near the lake, within 36 hours. (Mostly mixed participation south of Rochester.) It will start around daybreak tomorrow, and go into Wednesday night. Although predominately snow, we may have a little sleet too. It will also become cold. All information is from news 10 on t.v., here is the web link ...

whec news 10

Buffalo and Syracuse have similar forecasts, see....

wkbw tv buffalo
wtvh tv cbs syracuse

Rochester, N.Y - More Storms - UNCLE!

We had another storm starting Tuesday into today. It was another mixed precipitation storm that left a coating of slippery ice over everything, with snow on top. We had about 4 to 8 inches of snow in the area. We still had ice patches over everything streets, side walks, and lawns from the last storm. Now we have more of it. During the last storm, it took me an half hour to dig my car out of the ice, and it broke my ice scraper. We have had more of our share of these crazy mixed precipitation storms. I heard on the television that another storm of the same type will arrive Sunday night into Monday. It might be a big one. OK, I'm officially sick of Winter. UNCLE! Enough is enough!

Wednesday wintry mix- tricky commute

Sidewalks impassable for wheelchairs

By the way that is not a photo of me. It is an online photo that looks a bit like me, and my poor ice encased car.

This is a beautiful video of Lake Ontario