Severe Thunderstorm Produces Microbursts In Wappingers Falls

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY — The severe thunderstorms that tore through the Hudson Valley Wednesday did not produce a tornado, but they did produce microbursts near Wappingers Falls.

According to the National Weather Service in Albany, microbursts were confirmed to have happened between 6:52 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. Wednesday in Wappingers Falls.

The weather service said the estimated wind speed was 75 to 85 mph. The width of the path was 275 yards and it was 1.5 miles long.

There were no fatalities or injuries, the weather service said.

Two main areas of damage were noted. The first was at Bowdoin Park along the Hudson River where numerous trees were downed.

The park was closed Thursday due to the significant damage, including downed wires and trees, a county spokesperson said. There was no power at the park office and the phones were not working.

The county said Bowdoin Park reopened at 10 a.m. Friday. Power was said to be fully restored, and cleanup is estimated to take place over several days.

The second area was near Mesier Park in the village of Wappingers Falls, where about 50 trees were downed, with some falling on homes. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, and at least one utility pole was snapped.