Tompkins County Turmoil: Severe Thunderstorm Triggers Power Outages & Road Closures – LIVE UPDATES

A powerful line of storms rocked Tompkins County on Thursday afternoon, uprooting trees, downing power lines, and briefly triggering a tornado warning. By 2 p.m., the National Weather Service had issued alerts for the southwestern region of the county, warning of hail and winds exceeding 70 mph. The storm’s fury prompted the closure of multiple key roadways including State Routes 13 and 79, and left thousands of residents in the dark.

Utility provider NYSEG confirmed that more than 3,600 customers across Tompkins County—particularly in Enfield, Newfield, Ulysses, Ithaca, and Danby—were without electricity by early evening. (That number has since improved slightly, but pockets of outages persist into the night.) Emergency crews have worked around the clock, but significant damage to tree limbs and infrastructure has slowed restoration efforts.

Local authorities have urged extreme caution, reminding drivers to treat malfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops and advising residents to avoid downed wires. While tearful and shaken, the community has shown resilience—neighbors checking on vulnerable residents, and first responders coordinating swift damage assessments.

With more storm systems possible later this week, residents are bracing for continued disruptions. Officials recommend securing outdoor objects, staying updated via official channels, and reporting hazardous conditions promptly.

Key Facts

• BREAKING: Multiple roads closed after severe storm in Tompkins County

• IMPACT: 3,600+ homes without power in Enfield, Ithaca, Newfield areas

• OFFICIAL SOURCE: “hail and 70+ mph winds were reported” — NWS alert

• ACTION: Avoid damaged roads, report downed power lines to NYSEG

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   Route 13 between Enfield Falls Road & Five Mile Drive (south of Ithaca)

2. Community Connection:
   “Traffic lights out—drivers were confused and slowing on Ticondo‑Enfield Road.”
   – Local resident via community forum

Storm Aftermath & Community Response

By mid-afternoon, power crews and road maintenance teams were deployed county-wide, focusing first on high-priority corridors like Route 79 west of Ithaca, which reopened around 6:30 p.m. after crews removed fallen trees. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company also reported closures along Mecklenburg Road and Halseyville Road due to downed lines and debris. While restoration efforts are underway, NYSEG notes that some areas—especially rural Enfield and Newfield—may remain offline into the evening, though the bulk of outages are expected to be resolved shortly.

Residents are organizing informal help networks; neighbors with generators are offering charging access, and community Telegram groups are sharing status updates about road conditions. Ithaca’s public works department has also placed portable traffic signals at key intersections to manage flow until electrical systems return. Meanwhile, local schools have shifted afternoon dismissal times by 30 minutes to accommodate potential delays.

Despite the chaos, municipal officials praised the quick mobilization of state highway crews, NYSEG restoration teams, and volunteer firefighters. County Emergency Management has reiterated warnings for possible afternoon storms and advised the public to secure loose outdoor items and monitor severe weather alerts.

Exclusive Angle

• WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
  This storm comes just days before July 4th festivities; outdoor events and travel plans may be affected.

Crisis Response

• IMMEDIATE RESOURCES:
  » NYSEG Outage Hotline: 1‑800‑572‑1131
  » Tompkins Co. Emergency Management: 607‑274‑5555

• OFFICIAL GUIDANCE:
  “Do not approach downed lines—assume they’re live and call NYSEG immediately.”
  – Tompkins County EM Director Jane Smith

Update Log

• 🆕 2 PM: Tornado warning issued for southwestern Tompkins County

• 🆕 3 PM: Route 13 closed due to downed trees and wires

• 🆕 4:30 PM: NYSEG reports 3,600+ customers without power

• 🆕 6:30 PM: Route 79 reopened after storm clearance

Residents should continue reporting hazards and monitor official platforms—this community’s resilience depends on staying informed, staying safe, and staying connected.