On Tuesday, July 7 at approximately 11:00 p.m. the City of Yonkers experienced a severe thunderstorm that lasted approximately an hour and a half. In the aftermath of the storm, the city has been working to restore electricity, clear roadways, assist residents and assess the scale of damage caused by harsh winds, rain and nearly one inch of large hail.

On Wednesday, July 8, the city opened the Emergency Communications Center, located at 28 Wells Avenue (iPark), where city officials and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) joined representatives from Con Edison and various emergency service agencies to address reports of large scale power outages, blocked roadways, uprooted trees and other damages.

The National Weather Service, working through the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, determined that the storm produced wind gusts of about 75 to 80 mph, but was not a tornado.

According to Con Edison, approximately 21,000 Yonkers customers lost power during the height of the storm. As of noon today, Thursday, July 9, the number has been reduced to fewer than 500. Con Edison expects to have almost all power restored in Yonkers within the next 24-hours.

Street Closures:

As of 3:00 p.m. today, Thursday, four streets remain closed.

• Woodworth & Point
• Palisade closed from Shonnard to Lake
• Trausneck closed from Roberts to Emmett
• Corbalis Avenue & Valley Avenue (Intersection)

The City of Yonkers began operating under a "Local State of Emergency" on Wednesday allowing it to suspend procurement rules to expedite storm cleanup, issue special parking notices and suspend enforcement of certain sections of the city code. The official declaration of emergency was signed by Mayor Amicone on Wednesday morning and transmitted to the City Clerk.

According to the City Charter and New York State law, the a mayor has the authority to declare a state of emergency in the event of a disaster, rioting, catastrophe or similar public emergency, or if the he determines that public safety has been imperiled. The declaration is effective for five days but can be extended by the mayor, if necessary.

The purpose of the declaration is to expand the mayor’s power in order to preserve order and protect public health and safety. Examples of the expansion of power include establishing a curfew, restricting vehicular and pedestrian movement upon public roads, restricting or prohibiting the presence of persons gathering in public places, suspending enforcement of the city code and establishing emergency shelters.

Since Tuesday night’s storm, the city’s Action Center / Mayor’s Help Line (377-HELP) received 1,941 calls. In addition, fire and police services responded to nearly 1,000 storm related calls.

Storm Damage to City Facilities & Related Costs:

• Sidewalk repairs and related work to be performed at downed tree locations is approximately $382,300.
• Flooding caused by surface runoff from Roberts Lane directly impacting the property at #790 Warburton Avenue would cost approximately $38,000.
• Organic waste removal $105,000.
• Damage to municipal facilities $20,000.
• Damage to city parks $200,000.
• Tree removal $120,000 (includes private contractors).
• Yonkers Parking Authority $3,000.
• Total for MHA is $4,000.

Total Cost: $872,000

Yonkers Public Schools:

• Power was interrupted at 6 buildings.
• Trees were destroyed at several buildings, most notably at Riverside, School 25, School 24, Gorton, Emerson and Roosevelt.
• The roofing over the cafeteria (north) wing at Roosevelt (already in tough shape) was lifted and damaged, may have to be replaced (say $200,000).
• School 24 had 8 small holes punched in the gym roof.
• Fences damaged at School 31, Riverside, School 25, Gorton, Emerson and Roosevelt.
• School 16 had minor flooding (not from the roof).
• Roof flashing at Riverside was damaged.
• 3 windows at Emerson and 2 at Riverside were broken.

Total Cost: $350,000

Initial Overtime *Estimates

• Fire Fire Department: $102,000
• Police Department: $80,000
• Department of Public Works: $400,000
• Engineering: $75,000
• Department of Parks: $175,000
• Traffic Engineering Division: $4,000
• Department of Housing & Buildings: $2,500

Total Overtime: $838,500

*TO DATE TOTAL PUBLIC STORM COST ESTIMATE: $2,060,500

*Does not include city liability to private property

Residential Homes / Private Property Severe Damage (10)

·25 AKA 23 May Street—tree fell onto house*

·11 AKA 7 Abbey Pl.—front garage door damage & rear wall of garage and foundation wall collapsed from water pressure*

·17 Kingman Terr.—tree fell onto house*

·37 Hardy Pl.—tree fell onto house and garage

·45 Hardy Pl.—tree fell onto house

·72 Hardy Pl.—tree fell onto house*

·186 Chase Ave.—tree fell onto rear deck

·135 Hudson Terr.—tree fell onto rear deck & house

·768 Warburton Ave.—portion of rear wall failed and front garage door damaged from water pressure

·764 & 766 Warburton Ave.—basements flooded

·Sacred Heart H.S.—retaining wall veneer collapsed onto sidewalk along Voss Ave.

* Means condemned/unfit for human habitation

No violations will be issued for curbside waste or recycling through at least this weekend. The Department of Public Works crews will be collect bundles of small tree branches not exceeding three feet in length that are placed curbside.

Cleanup on Warburton Avenue is causing temporary street closures (from Arthur Street to OPP #790). There will be NO PARKING on the west side of Warburton Avenue on Thursday, July 9 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additionally, there will be NO PARKING on the east side of Warburton Avenue on Friday, July 10 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Signs have been posted accordingly.

ALTERNATE SIDE STREET PARKING IS SUSPENDED UNTIL MONDAY, JULY 20.

THE SEASONAL BAN ON GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWERS HAS BEEN LIFTED INDEFINITELY.