Severe Thunderstorm Knocks Down Trees, Wires in Bedford

On Wednesday July 21st a quick moving line of thunderstorms moved across Northern Westchester county just after 5 p.m., toppling trees and wires onto local roads, homes, and vehicles. Areas in Katonah and the northwest corner of our fire district (Cantitoe Street, Girdle Ridge Drive, Pea Pond Road, Matthews Mill Road) were severely hit with strong wind and rain, snapping off the tops of trees, and in some cases, completely uprooting them.

Our first call came in at 5:25 p.m., to a home at 242 Pea Pond Road that had experienced a power surge from the storm, blowing out several electrical sockets on the property. Response was hampered at many of the roads were blocked by downed trees at this point, and responding personnel had to utilize chain saws to clear a path for our equipment to get through. Following a brief investigation of the house by crews on Engine 109, power was shut down to the house, and members patrolled the area to assist with clean up and traffic. At the same time, Rescue 44 was called out to the area of 89 Stone Hill Road (Route 137) to cordon off traffic following a large tree that had brought down wires.

Engine 109 remained in the Pea Pond Road area for several hours, cutting many fallen trees and large branches off the road, and redirecting traffic around the affected areas.

At 7:26 p.m., Rescue 44 and Engine 109 responded to 64 Schildbach road for the report of an outdoor explosion and smoke plume. After a thorough search throughout the property and surrounding woods, no source was found, and all units were returned. An additional residential alarm was handled at 365 Cantitoe Street at 8:41 p.m.