Tropical Storm Isaias rocked Long Island with strong winds that caused widespread damage Tuesday, including a 78 mph gust recorded at Republic Airport in East Farmingdale that ranked as the strongest gust in the New York Metro area.
The National Weather Service said the gust was recorded shortly before 2 p.m. at the height of the storm. Since Isaias passed west of LI, Nassau and Suffolk counties recorded less rain than expected — slightly more than an inch, instead of four inches forecast — but got hit with the windy side of the storm. Heavier rains hit points west, such as New Jersey, which got more than 4 inches in some parts.
The Island’s wind damage caused more than 400,000 homes and businesses to lose power, widespread road closures, and the Long Island Rail Road to suspend service. More than 1,000 trees fell in Nassau alone. Trees fell on houses in Long Beach, East Meadow, North Babylon, Melville, East Islip, Lindenhurst, Oakdale, and elsewhere. A tree fell on a truck with a driver inside in East Islip, but the man was not injured, NWS said.
The top wind gust speeds beyond LI were 73 mph in Jackson Heights, Queens, and 68 mph in both Bridgeport, Conn. and at Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
Here are LI’s wind reports:
SUFFOLK
Republic Airport in East Farmingdale: 78 mph
Stony Brook: 75 mph
Great South Bay: 75 mph
Great Gull Island: 73 mph
West Gilgo Beach: 69 mph
Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma: 69 mph
Fire Island: 68 mph
Blue Point: 65 mph
Orient: 64 mph
Shirley Airport: 61 mph
Southold: 59 mph
Mt. Sinai Harbor: 59 mph
Fishers Island: 58 mph
Eastport: 55 mph
Mecox Bay: 54 mph
West Islip: 53 mph
Gebreski Airport in Westhampton: 52 mph
Napeague: 48 mph
Islip Terrace: 47 mph
Greenlawn: 46 mph
East Hampton: 44 mph
Miller Place: 42 mph
NASSAU
Wantagh: 68 mph
Valley Stream: 56 mph
Muttontown: 52 mph
Syosset: 49 mph
Merrick: 47 mph
Carle Place: 43 mph
Related Story: Tropical Storm Isaias Wreaks Havoc on Long Island
Related Story: 300K Without Power on Long Island After Isaias, Pols Call For Probe of PSEG-LI Response, Communication Trouble
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