4,000 without power in Orleans as wind takes down trees and wires

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2022 at 2:09 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: A tree is down at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery on Route 31 in Albion after powerful winds wreaked havoc in Orleans County this afternoon. The area is under a high wind warning until 6 p.m. with gusts up to 65 miles per hour.

National Grid is reporting 4,175 of its customers are without electricity at 2:06 p.m. as fierce winds have knocked down wires and trees throughout the county.

That represents 20.7 percent of National Grid’s 19,624 customers in the county. The company estimates power will be restored by 11 p.m.

The power company reports the following customers are affected without electricity in other nearby counties: 1,212 in Genesee, 735 in Erie, 3,648 in Monroe and 2,564 in Niagara.

UPDATE at 3:36 p.m.: National Grid reports 4,350 of its Orleans County customers are without power.

A tree lays on a house on East State Street near Sandstone Park in Albion.

Lots of big branches litter Mount Albion Cemetery due to the fierce winds.

A big branch hangs on wires on Caroline Street this afternoon due to powerful winds hitting the area.