More Than 50,000 Lose Power In Hudson Valley Thunderstorms Thursday

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — More than 50,000 Hudson Valley residents and businesses lost power as severe thunderstorms brought lightning and gusty winds to the region Thursday night. Utility companies are rushing to make repairs as more severe weather is expected.

• Central Hudson had 30,214 customers still out at 8:30 Friday morning, including 13,810 in Dutchess County, 12,281 in Ulster, 2,977 in Orange, 280 in Columbia and 232 in Putnam.
• NYSEG reported 19,813 customers out at 8:30 a.m., including 9,616 in Columbia County, 2,038 in Orange, 1,540 in Ulster, 126 in Putnam, 12 in Dutchess and 3 in Westchester
• O&R reported 1,800 customers still out of the 11,800 who lost power in its service area, which includes Orange, Rockland and Bergen counties.

The first storm, at dinner time, downed trees and wires all over Orange County, according to the National Weather Service's Local Storm Report.

There's a chance of strong to severe thunderstorms again this afternoon and evening.

Hot and humid conditions will continue across much of the area. The heat advisory continues in effect until 6 p.m. for Rockland and Westchester counties.

Here's the five-day forecast based on New City:

• Friday - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 96. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tonight - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Sunday - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Sunday Night - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Monday - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
• Tuesday - Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
• Tuesday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.