Storm Aftermath: What We Know So Far About Damage Across Central New York

SYRACUSE, N.Y., The line of severe thunderstorms that raked Central New York Monday evening left a trail of downed trees, snapped utility poles, and blocked roadways stretching from the western suburbs of Liverpool through Syracuse proper and out to Bridgeport in Madison County. By 10 p.m., the worst had passed, but the damage was still piling up.

As CNY Signal reported earlier this evening, the storms rolled through between roughly 6 and 9 p.m. with damaging winds, heavy downpours, and near-constant lightning. What follows is the fullest picture we have so far of what the storms left behind.

Damage Reports by Area

Bridgeport / Madison County

The hardest-hit area based on dispatch traffic was Bridgeport, where a utility pole fire erupted on Petrie Road near the Route 31 and Shackelton Point Road intersection shortly after 7 p.m. Bridgeport Fire worked to secure the scene as downed lines blocked the roadway in both directions. New York State Police also flagged a hazardous condition near the intersection of Deruyter Road and Route 80 in Madison County, drivers are being told to avoid the area overnight.

Cicero

Cicero took a beating during the height of the storm. Three fire units, including Engine 1, responded to an incident around 8:38 p.m. Cicero Police handled damage-only crashes at the Kwik Fill on Route 31 and near the Route 481 interchange at Panera Bread on East Circle Drive. No injuries were reported at either location.

Syracuse

Syracuse Fire responded to a string of calls throughout the storm window. Multiple automatic fire alarms were triggered by the electrical activity, including calls on Bishop Avenue near West Colvin Street and at a commercial property on North Townsend Street near Burnet Avenue. A commercial fire call brought crews to the IBB Mini Mart on Midland Avenue between West Beard Avenue and West Colvin Street. Syracuse Fire and police also responded to a collision with injuries near South Salina Street and East Newell Street.

DeWitt

DeWitt Fire handled a fire alarm at the Bull & Bear Roadhouse on Collamer Road near Northern Boulevard. The alarm appeared to be storm-triggered, consistent with the wave of electrical-related calls across the metro area.

Liverpool

Liverpool crews were dispatched during the storm, with Squad 2 responding to a call in the village. Details on that response are still coming in.

Van Buren

Van Buren police opened a hit-and-run investigation near the Tops supermarket on Downer Street Road. Whether the crash was directly storm-related is still under investigation.

Power Outage Situation

As of late Monday night, power restoration is underway across the region. Here’s how it works: National Grid prioritizes main feeder lines and circuits serving the most customers first. If a tree took down your individual service line, those repairs come last, expect a longer wait.

To report an outage or check restoration status:

• National Grid: 1-800-867-5222 or nationalgridus.com/outage-central
• NYSEG: 1-800-572-1131 or nyseg.com/outages

If you’re running a generator, keep it outside and at least 20 feet from any window or door. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills, every year, post-storm generator use accounts for deaths across the Northeast. Don’t take the chance.

Road Hazards Still Active

As of this writing, the following locations have confirmed hazards that may persist into the Tuesday morning commute:

• Petrie Road at Route 31 / Shackelton Point Road (Bridgeport): Downed utility lines blocking roadway
• Deruyter Road at Route 80 (Madison County): Hazardous conditions flagged by NYSP
• South Salina Street at East Newell Street (Syracuse): Crash scene, expect possible residual closures
• Route 31 at Kwik Fill (Cicero): Damage-only crash scene, cleared but use caution

Assume there are branches, debris, and standing water on secondary roads across Onondaga and Madison counties. Drive slow, keep your headlights on, and don’t attempt to cross any flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown.

Emergency Response Summary

Fire departments across at least five municipalities responded to storm-related calls between 6 and 10 p.m. Monday:

• Syracuse Fire: Multiple alarm activations (Bishop Ave., North Townsend St.), one commercial fire call (Midland Ave.), one MVA with injuries (South Salina St.)
• Bridgeport Fire: Utility pole fire on Petrie Road
• Cicero Fire: Three-unit response during peak of storm (~8:38 p.m.)
• DeWitt Fire: Storm-triggered alarm at Bull & Bear Roadhouse
• Liverpool Fire: Squad 2 dispatched to village call

Syracuse Police and Cicero Police handled multiple motor vehicle crashes. New York State Police were active in Madison County dealing with road hazards. No fatalities have been reported.

What’s Next: Overnight and Tuesday Morning

The National Weather Service forecast for overnight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, with a low around 44°F and temperatures actually rising to around 58°F overnight. Southwest winds around 9 mph. There’s a 70% chance of additional precipitation, with another quarter to half inch of rain possible.

A Flood Watch remains in effect through Wednesday evening for portions of the region. The NWS warns that heavy rain falling on the remaining snowpack could push rivers and creeks to critical levels. Onondaga Creek, Limestone Creek, and other area waterways bear watching overnight.

Tuesday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with a high near 50°F and a 50% chance of rain showers. The morning commute could be messy, expect wet roads, scattered debris, and possible residual flooding in low-lying areas. Give yourself extra time.

Debris cleanup will likely begin Tuesday morning in the hardest-hit areas. If a tree came down on your property, your municipality’s highway department is the first call for anything affecting the road right-of-way. Private property damage goes through your homeowner’s insurance.

By The Numbers

This is a developing story. CNY Signal is monitoring dispatch traffic and will update this article as new information comes in. If you have photos or damage reports from your neighborhood, reach out, we want to hear from you.

Related: Severe Storms Sweep Through Central New York, Downed Power Lines, Damage Reports Across Region