Storm Cancels First 'Port Outdoors' Event In Port Washington

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Port Washington business leaders canceled the first of a series of outdoor dining and shopping events on Main Street ahead of strong thunderstorms.

Holly Byrne, executive director of the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District, said the organization had to make a "tough call" in canceling the "Port Outdoors" event.

"Weather forecast predicted heavy rain and winds right at prime dining hours," she said. "I spoke with a few restaurant owners/managers and they felt it would be worse to have patrons seated and have to scramble mid dinner and not be able to accommodate anyone inside."

Byrne said its saving the date for middle and lower Main Street on Sept. 3, 17 and Oct. 1. The event will return to Upper Main Street on Sept. 10 and 24.

Byrne said the day "doesn't have to go to waste."

"We can still support our Main Street even if we can't dine in the Street," she said. "Make it Take Out Thursday!"

The Port Outdoors event was to create walking-only zones on Thursday evenings beginning Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., alternating each week between upper and lower Main Street. The kick-off night was to encompass businesses on upper Main Street and Port Commons.

In addition to outdoor dining and shopping, organizers planned to have street entertainment organized by Landmark on Main Street. Several businesses also volunteered to have their own entertainment, and local talents were also expected to perform.

The events are part of the Town of North Hempstead's "Lift Up Local" initiative to support businesses.

As Patch previously reported, wind gusts Thursday could top 75 mph on Long Island.

"This could cause areas of widespread tree and power line damage and resultant power outages,"the National Weather Service said.

The risk of severe storms were expected to be highest from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Large hail and isolated tornadoes were possible.

A tornado watch was issued Thursday for Suffolk County.

"The Storm Prediction Center has a large part of our area at an enhanced risk for severe weather and they are also emphasizing the tornado risk inside the enhanced risk zone showing a 5 percent chance for a tornado occurring," meteorologist Joe Cioffi wrote on his website. "For this area that risk assessment is rather high and not something we see very often."