Multiple severe weather hazards occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of Wednesday, August 21st, 2019, due to a strong upper level shortwave moving into a humid and unstable airmass. This set up resulted in multiple severe thunderstorms, flooding and two confirmed tornadoes with damage across much of the region. Over 10,000 people lost power and the Washington County Fair closed for the day.

Tornado in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 13:24:00 to 21-AUG-19 13:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTOWN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service survey team confirmed an EF0 tornado in Johnstown, NY. The team found a small area where damage was consistent with a tornado with the damage extending from Johnson Ave to Pleasant Ave. Damage was confined to uprooted trees. The estimated maximum wind speed was 80 to 85 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 04:08:00 to 21-AUG-19 04:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARLTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wires and large tree limbs were downed on Stage Road in the town of Charlton.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 04:09:00 to 21-AUG-19 04:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUCKER HGTS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wires and tree limbs were downed on Lake Hill Road near Charlton Girls School.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 12:44:00 to 21-AUG-19 12:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAROGA LAKE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Route 111 was closed in the town of Caroga due to a downed tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 13:10:00 to 21-AUG-19 13:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRANBERRY CREEK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Department of Highways

A tree was downed on Route 30 between Mayfield and Northville.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 13:26:00 to 21-AUG-19 13:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Multiple trees were downed with damage to a barn.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALLSTON CENTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Wires were downed in Ballston Spa.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALLSTON CENTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and wires were downed on Mourningkill Drive in Ballston Spa.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALLSTON SPA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and wires were downed on West High Street in Ballston Spa.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENFIELD CENTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Tree limbs were downed onto wires in Greenfield.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: GURN SPG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several reports of tree limbs downed onto wires were reported in Wilton.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:30:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: SARATOGA SPGS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A large tree was downed and damaged three parked cars on Union Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:45:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: BACON HILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and wires were downed in Northumberland.

Tornado in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:35:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: SARATOGA LAKE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado in a portion of Saratoga Springs. There was an extensive area of damage at a residence near the intersection of Route 29 and Schallen Road where dozens of trees were downed and hardwood trees were both uprooted or snapped. In addition, a tin roof on a large barn was peeled upward on the northeast-facing side of the barn. Both of these factors strongly suggest a rotating wind field, indicative of a tornado. Winds were estimated as high as 105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:49:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROUND LAKE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tree was downed onto Route 9.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:49:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITEFIELD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Tree limbs were downed in a yard in Accord.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:07:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: COTTEKILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A tree was downed onto wires at Route 32 and Creek Locks Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:10:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH EASTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was downed in the town of Easton.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:20:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOMBACOUS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was downed.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:55:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: COHOES
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and wires were downed in Cohoes.

Thunderstorm Wind in DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:55:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLINTON HOLLOW
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A couple of trees were downed in Clinton Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:18:00 to 21-AUG-19 16:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: SNYDERS CORNER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees and wires were downed on Route 66 between Route 355 and Snyders Corners Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:40:00 to 21-AUG-19 16:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: STUYVESANT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was downed on Route 9J near Gibbons Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:45:00 to 21-AUG-19 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: KINDERHOOK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Wires were downed in Kinderhook.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:50:00 to 21-AUG-19 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: GHENT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree was downed.

Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:45:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROESSLEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

All lanes on Central Ave were closed near Vatrano Road due to flooding.

Flash Flood in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:30:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: DEFREESTVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Road was closed at Chalet Ct and Zermat Drive. Flash flooding was confirmed by photos.

Flood in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:20:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST LINE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The left lane on the Northway between exit 11 and exit 12 was closed due to flooding.

Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:00:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: COHOES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

There was urban flooding in the city of Cohoes.

Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:30:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREEN IS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Route 7 near the intersection with Route 787 was closed due to flooding.

Flood in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:45:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST GREENBUSH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Route 9 near Eliot Ave had one lane blocked due to flooding.

Flood in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 17:00:00 to 21-AUG-19 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CROPSEYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Route 278 was closed in the town of Brunswick due to flooding.

Flood in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 18:25:00 to 21-AUG-19 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SYCAWAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

There was some street flooding on South Lake Drive.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 14:49:00 to 21-AUG-19 14:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROUND LAKE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:45:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEWTONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 15:49:00 to 21-AUG-19 15:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: COHOES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Social Media

Lightning in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:31:00 to 21-AUG-19 16:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: CASTLETON ON HDSN AR
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Lightning hit a tree which resulted in downed wires trapping a person in a car.

Flash Flood in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 21-AUG-19 16:15:00 to 21-AUG-19 17:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: TROY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several inches of water rushed down Sixth Street, Federal Street and Hoosick Street. There was also a few feet of standing water in places downtown. Roadways were closed due to damage and debris on Federal Street, Sage Avenue and Peoples Avenue.