Storm spares northeast Dutchess, ravages neighboring communities

Severe thunderstorms ripped through New York and Connecticut on Saturday, July 4, causing damage in some areas that has left tens of thousands without power.

The fast-moving thunderstorm on Saturday night brought heavy winds and rain that snapped branches and uprooted trees, causing damage to power lines and structures across Dutchess County and the Northwest Corner. Despite the extensive damage, impacts of the storm were localized to specific Connecticut areas that received the brunt of its force.

Over 50,000 Mid-Hudson Valley customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric lost power over the weekend. By Sunday evening, the company had restored power to 17,000 customers, and estimated full Dutchess County restoration by Tuesday, July 7 at 10 p.m.

Officials in Millerton, Amenia, Millbrook and Pine Plains reported minimal damage and scattered power outages caused by the storm. A downed power line at the Carey Institute in Millbrook was still smoking as of Monday, July 6. Other impacts were limited, save for downed trees blocking Route 22 near Boston Corners north of Millerton in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 5.

The Amenia Fire Company’s Fourth of July fireworks display went on as planned, although the fair featuring live music and food outside the firehouse on Mechanic Street closed early because of heavy rain.

Communities just across the state line faced far more severe impacts. Salisbury, Lakeville and Falls Village in Connecticut experienced extensive damage that caused lasting power outages that dragged into the beginning of the week. Gas stations and the CVS in Millerton quickly sold out of essentials like bottled water, ice, and flashlights. Millerton businesses also reported a higher volume of pedestrian traffic on Monday morning as Connecticut residents sought out internet access, hot water, and electricity.

Many roads across northwest Connecticut were closed on Sunday, July 5, in the storm’s aftermath. More than 70,000 Eversource customers statewide lost power, though outages had fallen to fewer than 28,000 by Monday morning as crews worked to restore service.

In Salisbury, 93% of customers were without power on Sunday, with 2,792 of 3,006 customers affected.

Falls Village was also heavily affected, with more than 50% of customers without power.

Just under 20% of Sharon residents were impacted, with 415 customers without power.

Falls Village officials declared a local State of Emergency as a result of the storm damage. First Selectman David Barger said the move could help relieve the financial burden of the storm if state or federal funds become available.

“We want to be able to utilize all of our resources,” Barger said, adding that town crews have been called in for overtime hours to support the clean-up. He said he received calls from North Canaan and Kent town officials who offered their support.

“Whether it be with the volunteer fire departments or the department of public works, they stand ready to help us,” he said. “The towns in Region One have really been drawn together with some common problems and common initiatives, and this is one of those things where we’re all working together.”

Salisbury, Cornwall, Goshen, Harwinton and Torrington each declared a local State of Emergency as of 2 p.m. Sunday, Litchfield County Dispatch Supervisor Ryan Ptakowski said.

Communities in southern and eastern Dutchess County also sustained significant damage. Pawling, which was still recovering from a June storm that left much of the town without power for several days, was hit even harder Saturday night. Downed power lines caused widespread outages and sparked a fire at a CVS pharmacy that destroyed the building.

Additional reporting provided by Aly Morrissey, Alec Linden and Graham Corrigan.