From 7/11/06-7/12/06 a series of isolated, but very severe thunderstorms pounded the
Westchester County area with heavy rains and damaging winds. These sporadic storms caused havoc on the County's Emergency Services. The worst of the storms occurred on July, 12 where a F2 class Tornado was reported to touch down in the Hawthorne area. Soon after 60 Control was hammered with dozens of calls in multiple districts ranging from Building collapses, utility calls, MVA's, flooding conditions, Structure Fires, and a MVA involving a NYS Trooper whose car went airborne due to the extremely high winds. While the storms had the biggest effects on the towns of Hawthorne, Thornwood, Valhalla, Sleepy Hollow, and Tarrytown the rest of the County was also impacted. Although Yorktown was not directly affected, Yorktown Heights firefighters kept themselves occupied with the usual gas investigations, motor vehicle accidents, automatic alarms, public assistance/ water conditions, and yes wires, wires and more wires. The reminder of the time was spent directing the confused motorists around town due to some closed roads. I must say it was a job well done by all agencies involved during the storms. Photos courtesy of the Journal News showing the damage to the most affected areas of the county.
