CLINTON, ONEIDA CO. -- Residents of Oneida and Madison Counties were advised to take cover for a short time Tuesday afternoon after a tornado was spotted near Clinton.
The National Weather Service says trained weather spotters reported a tornado near Clinton, and south of Westmoreland, in Oneida County. The tornado was located near Chadwicks, moving east at 50 miles per hour. One CNY Central Facebook fan reported 1.75" hail in Westmoreland.
The State DOT says Route 233 was closed at 2:00 p.m. between Route 412 in the Village of Clinton and Route 12B in Franklin Springs due to storm damage. The DOT says the damage could take more than four hours to clear and repair.
CNY Central reporter Laura Hand and photographer Brian Erb found trees and powers lines down in Franklin Springs, in the town of Kirkland. Hand says the winds whipped from west to east, flattening a cornfield on Route 233 and putting limbs through roofs on Furnace Street. There were also downed trees on the tops of cars on Siedsma Court.
Hand says no one they spoke to saw a tornado. Neighbors heard winds and rumbling, but no one saw a twister.
The State Thruway Authority reported fallen trees and a blocked right lane on Interstate 90 eastbound at milepost 250.0 between exit 33 (Verona) and exit 32 (Westmoreland). The DOT says this was cleared just before 2:00.
Other CNY Central viewers have reported storm damage elsewhere in the region, including downed wires and trees. One viewer in Camden reported hail and trees down on California Road, and others reported power lines, trees, and farm equipment overturned on Route 37 in Hastings and Mallory. The NWS asks that anyone who sees large hail or damaging winds call 1-877-633-6772 or email bgm.stormreport@noaa.gov.
The Weather Service says that the safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement. They advise that anyone who sees or hears a tornado get under a workbench or other piece of sturdy furniture. If no basement is available, you should seek shelter on the lowest floor of the building in an interior hallway or room such as a closet. Use blankets or pillows to cover your body and always stay away from windows.
Anyone who is in a mobile home or vehicles should evacuate and get inside a substantial shelter. If no shelter is available, lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands.
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