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December 28, 2008

Anonymous The Press Republican Sun Dec 28, 2008, 10:56 PM EST

By ELYSE BETTERS

Contributing Writer

PLATTSBURGH — Strong winds blowing northeast across upstate New York reached 75 mph Sunday, causing toppled trees, scattered power outages and some flooding in the region.

The high winds began Sunday morning in the greater Buffalo area and moved northeast by early afternoon. The National Weather Service quickly issued a high-wind warning for Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties and a flood warning for Clinton County.

DOWNED TREES, OUTAGES

In the North Country, some downed trees and power disruptions were reported by residents in AuSable Forks, Ticonderoga, Churubusco, Saranac, Mooers and northern Franklin County.

“These winds have the capability of knocking down tree limbs and small trees, as well as move or create a potential flying hazard of any loose objects,” the National Weather Service’s Web site forecasted Sunday.

Eric Day, director of Clinton County Emergency Services, said the high winds toppled large trees into roadways throughout Mooers, AuSable Forks, Lyon Mountain, Peru and Saranac.

“The trees that came down across the roads in Mooers and AuSable blocked both lanes and traffic,” Day said. “But things were taken care of right away. A few power lines were knocked out, but luckily no fires were started.”

‘SHOOK WHOLE HOUSE’

Kenneth King, 60, of Owls Head said the severe winds are some of the worst he has ever experienced since living in northern Franklin County.

“I’ve been in Owls Head for 14 years, but I have never felt winds like this,” he said. “I was sitting in the living room — the middle of my house — and I could feel the gusts of wind shake the whole house. That’s never happened before.”

King said his home was out of power for about six hours Sunday afternoon. The power eventually turned on around 8 p.m., but his lights have continued to flicker throughout the evening.

“The winds keep knocking the street lights out. I have my generator, though, in case the power goes out again.”

ICE JAMS, FLOODING

The high winds began affecting the Great Chazy River in Mooers around 4 p.m., causing ice jams along the Perry Mills Road and subsequent flooding on Blackman Corners Road.

“The north side of the river toward Canada has about six to eight inches of water flooding the road. The high winds are pushing the ice and water,” Leon Menard, volunteer firefighter for Mooers Volunteer Fire Department, said Sunday evening.

“We’ve closed the road, but it’s nothing too bad. Everything should be fine once the winds let down.”

The National Weather Service predicted the river will continue to rise near 10 feet after midnight until late this morning.

“Perry Mills and Creek Road in the vicinity of Perry Mills will flood, and the water will possibly reach resident homes and partially cover Route 11 south of Perry Mills,” according to the Weather Service.

WINDS TO DIMINISH TODAY

A moderate-wind warning is expected remain in effect for the northern Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley until 3 p.m. today.

“West to southwest winds will diminish to 15 to 25 mph after midnight, with some gusts up to 35 mph possible,” the agency forecasted. “Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.”

Clinton and Essex County Emergency Services expect moderate property damage from the high winds until the warning expires this afternoon.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report...