NOCCOG: News: STORM CAUSES DAMAGE IN ONEIDA COUNTY [Digital Towpath]

A violent storm tore through northern Oneida County on July 23 causing extensive damage. The towns of Annsville, Lee and Vienna all experienced a violent thunderstorm, high winds and hail that caused extensive power outages, took down trees, damaged crops, and destroyed buildings. No official word has been issued as to what exactly hit the area at 5:30 a.m. but the terms microburst and wind burst have been suggested.

Among the many sites damaged were the Town of Lee Highway Department garage in Lee Center whose south wall was blown out, the McConnellsville golf course and the McConnellsville fire hall. Lee Supervisor John Urtz said the whole south wall of the highway garage blew out of the cinderblock structure and the high winds tore off a 30 by 30 foot section of the roof. The town is working on seeking estimates of the damage costs and contacted a structural engineer to review the site. At least 400 trees were either split or uprooted in the McConnellsville golf course in Vienna. National Grid reported that over 4,100 customers in Oneida County lost power.