WNY Storms Leave 16,000 Without Power as Tornado Warnings Expire

Key points

• More than 78,000 customers across NYSEG and RG&E service areas lost power due to Wednesday's storms.
• By 10:30 a.m. Thursday, 16,000 customers remained without power, with significant outages in NYSEG's Geneva and Hornell Divisions and RG&E's Central and Fillmore Divisions.
• Tornado warnings were issued for Monroe, Genesee, Orleans, Steuben, Seneca, and Livingston counties but have since expired.
• A flash flood warning for Orleans County ended at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
• Residents are advised to stay away from downed power lines and storm debris, which may be energized.

Background

This event follows a pattern of severe weather impacts in the region, as seen in the August 2026 Midwest storm that left thousands in Indiana without power for over a week. The Finger Lakes region also recently dealt with a measles alert, highlighting ongoing public health and infrastructure challenges. The current storm underscores the vulnerability of local power grids to severe weather events.

How outlets are covering it

Finger Lakes Daily News emphasizes the ongoing power outages and safety warnings for residents. WKBW focuses on the visual damage and tornado warnings across Western New York, sharing viewer-submitted photos and videos. WHEC provides detailed outage numbers by county and highlights specific incidents, such as a car getting stuck in a flooded underpass in Rochester and a tornado touching down near Shelby Center in Orleans County. While all sources agree on the severity of the storms, WHEC offers the most granular data on outages and local impacts, whereas WKBW prioritizes visual documentation of the damage.

Why it matters

The widespread power outages and severe weather pose significant risks to residents, including safety hazards from downed power lines and potential flooding. The event highlights the resilience of local infrastructure and the importance of emergency response and cleanup efforts. It also underscores the need for preparedness and awareness of weather-related dangers in the region.

What to watch

Utility crews will continue working to restore power to all affected customers. Cleanup efforts in Orleans County and other impacted areas are ongoing, with firefighters and emergency services addressing downed trees and flooded roads. Residents are advised to monitor updates from utility companies and local authorities for further developments.