On the Scene in Hancock: Residents Clean Up After EF-1 Tornado

Radio Catskill reporter Kimberly Izar found uprooted trees, blocked roads and widespread power outages as crews continued storm recovery efforts Monday.

Communities in and around Hancock are continuing to clean up after an EF-1 tornado tore through parts of Broome and Delaware counties Saturday evening.

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado traveled nearly 16 miles from the Sanford area in Broome County toward Hancock in Delaware County. The storm brought winds of up to 95 miles per hour, knocking down trees and power lines and damaging homes and other buildings.

Radio Catskill reporter Kimberly Izar was on the scene Monday, speaking with residents and seeing the damage firsthand.

Izar said the main roads through the area, including Route 97 and County Road 28, were mostly clear.

“The roads are, for the most part, pretty clear,” Izar said. “There are some fallen branches and tree debris along the side of the road, but for the most part, travel has resumed since Saturday.”

But she said the damage became much more severe on smaller roads and in more rural areas.

“It’s really when you start venturing off to some of the dirt paths and some of the side roads that things start looking a little bit apocalyptic, to be honest,” Izar said.

Large Trees Ripped From the Ground

Along John Milk Road in Long Eddy, Izar found widespread tree damage stretching for several hundred yards.

She spoke with resident Jim Milk, who said he had never seen anything like the storm.

Many of the trees near his home were large hemlocks that Milk said had been standing for at least 200 years.

“What I saw was so many of these trees were completely toppled over,” Izar said. “The tree roots themselves were completely ripped out of the ground.”

Drone footage taken by Milk’s grandson showed the damage extending for several hundred yards.

Milk said his family heard tornado warnings Saturday evening but did not initially believe a tornado would reach their home in the hills.

“We heard the tornado alarms go off,” Milk said. “Of course, we think, ‘Well, we’re up in the hills. There’s not going to be a tornado around here.’ So we ignored it.”

Milk said the family then saw what appeared to be a wall of rain moving toward the property.

His daughter was traveling to the home from North Carolina that evening, but John Milk Road was covered by fallen trees and branches.

“It was like driving into a bush,” Milk said. “It was completely covered over.”

Milk said he had to cut a path along another route so his daughter could reach the house.

Power Outages Continue

The storm also left thousands of utility customers without electricity.

As of Monday afternoon, NYSEG reported 1,008 customers without power in Delaware County and 1,282 customers without power in Broome County.

Milk lost electricity Saturday night and remained without power for most of the weekend. His service was restored around 11 a.m. Monday.

Izar said Hancock Town Supervisor Jerry Vernold told her that hundreds of residents in the town were still without power Monday afternoon because of fallen trees, damaged lines and downed utility poles.

NYSEG also announced plans to distribute bottled water at the Hancock Fire Station and the East Branch Fire Station for residents affected by the outages.

Fire Department Entered Rescue Mode

Hancock Fire Chief Blaise Bojo said some of the most serious damage was reported in the northern and eastern parts of town, including the Pease Eddy Road area.

Bojo said emergency crews immediately entered rescue mode after the storm passed.

“We worked with local DPW crews, private contractors and utility companies to start to gain access to the Pease Eddy Road area because we were completely blocked off from there due to downed trees,” Bojo said.

Once crews reached the area, they began checking damaged homes and searching for anyone who might be injured or trapped.

“We started search and rescue operations, searching homes that were damaged, checking on residents and ensuring that there were no injuries,” he said.

Crews also worked to clear roads so ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles could reach affected neighborhoods.

Drivers Urged to Use Caution

Although the main travel restrictions have been lifted, recovery work is continuing across the area.

Izar said drivers should slow down and remain alert for branches, damaged poles and other debris, especially on side roads.

“There’s still a rescue and recovery operation in place,” Izar said. “Depending on where you’re going in the area, there still might be some fallen trees and some telephone poles.”

Residents are also being urged to stay away from damaged trees and power lines and to follow updates from the Town and Village of Hancock, Delaware County emergency officials and NYSEG.

More Storms Possible Tuesday

Residents are also being warned about the potential for another round of thunderstorms on Tuesday, July 21, as cleanup work continues.

The forecast for Hancock includes several chances for thunderstorms throughout Tuesday, including during the morning, afternoon and evening.

Izar said Vernold urged people to stay indoors during the storms and avoid trees whenever possible.

“If folks can stay indoors, please stay indoors,” Izar said, sharing Vernold’s warning. “Don’t get near any trees, and just generally move with caution.”

Another storm could create added dangers in areas where trees, utility poles and power lines were already weakened by Saturday’s tornado.

Residents should keep their phones charged, have a way to receive weather warnings and move indoors immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

Photos by: Kimberley Izar