Latest news with #OneidaCountySheriff'sOffice
Canada News.Net
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Canada News.Net
Extreme heat alerts issued across multiple US states
MADISON, Wisconsin: Tens of millions of residents across the Midwest and East Coast faced dangerously high temperatures over the weekend as a significant heat wave continued to sweep through much of the United States. This weather pattern, characterized by extreme heat, was expected to persist well into the coming week, with warnings and advisories being issued across various states. The National Weather Service reported that nearly the entire northeastern region, from Minnesota to Maine, was under some form of heat advisory, affecting states like Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Meteorologists attributed the record-breaking temperatures to a phenomenon known as a heat dome. This occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere traps heat and humidity close to the ground, resulting in oppressive weather conditions. Throughout the region, local weather service offices urged residents to plan accordingly, advising them to take frequent breaks if they had to be outdoors, stay hydrated, and ensure that pets had access to water and shade. Thunderstorm in New York Adding to the weekend's turmoil, severe thunderstorms rocked parts of New York, leading to tragic outcomes. On June 22, three people, including twin six-year-old girls, lost their lives when a storm brought down trees onto homes in the central part of the state. In the aftermath, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office confirmed that several inches of rain fell in just a few hours, inundating areas like Kirkland and leaving many without power. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 counties due to the severe storms and ongoing heat crisis. By June 22, heat advisories had been in effect for days, with temperatures reaching staggering highs. In cities like Chicago, the heat index soared to 103°F (39.4°C), and Madison, Wisconsin, reported highs of 101°F (38.3°C). Many residents sought refuge indoors, with some remarks highlighting the challenges of outdoor activities. Lynn Watkins, director of a local day care, expressed her struggle, saying it was simply too hot to enjoy grilling outdoors. In Pittsburgh, the heat index hit 105°F, prompting local health officials to declare a heat emergency for the area. They encouraged citizens to take advantage of air-conditioned public spaces while providing access to a hotline staffed by medical professionals to address heat-related illnesses. As the oppressive heat continued, beachgoers flocked to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, where temperatures hovered in the mid-80s. Expecting sustained heat, residents prepared for increasingly challenging conditions. Fans at the PGA Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, were seen seeking shelter from the heat, showcasing the struggle to remain comfortable during one of the hottest stretches of weather in recent memory. As the week progresses, forecasters warned that the extreme temperatures would shift further east, with cities like New York and Boston anticipating highs around 95°F and 100°F, respectively. The heat wave, culminating in significant discomfort for millions, serves as a stark reminder of the impact of extreme weather conditions. Mark Gehring, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan, Wisconsin, said such heat is typical for U.S. summers, though it usually peaks in mid-July or early August. What makes this heat wave unusual, he noted, is the vast area it's affecting. "It's basically everywhere east of the Rockies," he said, referring to the Rocky Mountains. "That is unusual, to have this massive area of high dewpoints and heat."
New York Post
24-06-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Freak NY storm that killed 6-year-old twins in their beds also left local woman dead in eerily similar tragedy: officials
A freak upstate New York storm that killed 6-year-old twins in their beds on Sunday also left a 50-year-old woman dead just 5 miles away, according to local authorities. Shelly Johnson was inside her Kirkland home when a tree fell into her home, killing her while she slept next to her longtime partner, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office said in a release. Johnson's tragic death came early Sunday morning, when an EF-1 tornado swept through the upstate community and toppled a tree onto the nearby home where little Emily and Kenni Bisson were asleep, killing the twins and forcing their mother to escape through a shattered window. Advertisement 3 A pair of 6-year-old twin sisters were killed early Sunday when a tree smashed into their upstate home in a freak storm. AP Johnson and her longtime partner, Eddie Hickey, were in bed discussing whether to evacuate in the deadly tornado when a tree came crashing into their mobile home, reported. The pair, although not married, had known each other since grade school. Advertisement 'They were best friends, on top of being together,' Tammy Worden, Hickey's sister-in-law, told the outlet. Friends and relatives have now set up a GoFundMe page for Hickey. 3 Mom Kayleigh Bisson escaped the upstate tornado, but her 6-year-old twins, Emily and Kenni, were killed. GoFundMe 'For those that don't know who Shelly was, she was kind, caring, loving, gentle, funny, an avid animal lover, and best friend,' his niece, Shana Schaffer, wrote on the site. 'Unfortunately, not only did my uncle lose his best friend/love of his life of 25 years, he also lost his home and belongings.' Advertisement The deadly storm prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency in 32 counties due to the intense weather and the heat wave that is enveloping the Empire State. The sudden surge struck the home of the Bisson twins around 4 a.m. Sunday, authorities said. Their mother, Kayleigh Bisson, 37, was sleeping with her daughters when disaster struck — with neighbors hearing her screams and dashing to the battered home to help. 3 The freak storm killed at least three people in the upstate town of Kirkland early Sunday morning, officials said. AP Advertisement 'She was yelling, 'Get my kids out!'' neighbor Jared Bowman told 'But there was no noise. It felt very eerie and bad.' Both girls were found inside and declared dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said. 'These girls were known throughout town,' a GoFundMe account set up for the twins said. 'They were a part of softball, soccer, dance, gymnastics and so much more. 'They always kept everyone smiling and made people remember what life was all about,' the site said. 'They walked through life smiling, dancing, and belly laughs that lasted for days. They were incredible artists that had [a talent] for a paintbrush and some chalk.' Additional reporting by Richard Pollina
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Rome mayor charged with second-degree harassment, due in court July 16
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was edited to include a statement from Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan. Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan has been charged with second-degree harassment after an alleged incident early June with former Rome Mayor James Brown. The charges were confirmed through the New York State Unified Court System. According to New York State Penal Code, second-degree harassment, a violation, entails when another person does one of the following: Strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects such other person to physical contact, or attempts to threaten to do the same. Follow a person in or about a public place or places Engage in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which alarm or seriously annoy such other person and which serve no legitimate purpose. Oneida County Sheriff's Office call logs list a call going out at around 7:56 p.m. on June 3 to Teugega Country Club on Keeler Road in Rome for harassment. Neighborhood Revitalization: Cornhill Empowerment Center opens, first step of many to revitalization Court Proceedings: Community court in Rome sees early results, mayor says Arrests: Lee man arrested after shooting at parked car In a June 4 statement, Lanigan said there was a verbal dispute that occurred that did not turn physical. Lanigan further stated Brown was intoxicated. Brown declined comment to the Observer-Dispatch. In a statement, Lanigan confirmed the summons. "[On June 19], I was issued a summons for the non-criminal violation of harassment in the second degree stemming from the recent incident on June 3," he wrote. "I look forward to the opportunity to address this matter." I want to sincerely thank the many people who have reached out with their support. It means a great deal to me and my family. Herkimer County District Attorney Jeffrey Carpenter was named special prosecutor in the case. He did not return calls for comment. Lanigan is to go before Judge Timothy Kirwan in Rome City Court on July 16 at 11 a.m. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Rome mayor charged with second-degree harassment
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Deadly tornado sweeps through Oneida County. Fundraiser created for family
The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Clark Mills June 22 and killed three people. The tornado touched down at 3:58 a.m. and traveled southwest for 2.43 miles. National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Lott said a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Oneida County around 3:14 a.m., then, at 3:46 a.m. a second warning went out. Finally, at 3:54 a.m., a tornado warning is pushed to the phones of everyone in the area around Clark Mills, urging people to take shelter and find safety. Lott said the tornado was caused by a convective system — a cluster of thunderstorms that converge and become organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms — that dropped in from the north. 'It dropped in very early in the morning and created a line of thunderstorms with very strong winds,' Lott said. 'Within that line, a tornado developed.' Lott said current estimates indicate the tornado's wind speeds were around 105 mph. In the National Weather Service's report, 70 mph winds caused scattered tree damage along the line of thunderstorms. The National Weather Service confirmed three people were killed — two children and one adult — when trees landed on their respective homes. The Clinton Central School District confirmed the deaths of two elementary students. A GoFundMe page was created for the mother of Emily and Kenni Bisson. A single mother, Kayleigh Bisson survived the tornado but lost her twin daughters, home and possessions due to the damage caused by the twister. As of 11:30 a.m. June 23, $216,875 has been raised. "These girls were known throughout town," the GoFundMe read. "They were a part of softball, soccer, dance, gymnastics and so much more. They always kept everyone smiling and made people remember what life was all about. They walked through life smiling, dancing, and belly laughs that lasted for days." Shelley Johnson, 50, died in a separate home in Clark Mills when a tree crashed through the roof of her house, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. Her house — on Millstream Court — was not far from the residence where the Bisson family lived. Fatality: Herkimer man dead after crash, police investigating Almost a year ago, the city of Rome was hit by a tornado that left a visible scar through its skyline and fear in the hearts of its residents. On June 22, Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan put out a statement on Facebook in regards to this latest storm. "As we woke up to the aftermath of yet another powerful storm, those memories are fresh again — and for some, painfully so," he said. Lanigan offered the city's sympathies to the people who lost their lives. Neighborhood Revitalization: Cornhill Empowerment Center opens, first step of many to revitalization When asked if summer tornadoes were going to be the new normal for the Mohawk Valley, Lott said there is no evidence to support that. 'This was a freak chain of events,' he said. 'There's no way to say the [Mohawk Valley] is going to be hit with a tornado every single year around the same time. There's no way to really say that's going to be the case. This storm just dropped in around the same time as Rome's tornado.' As people start to clean up and repair, Lott said June 23-24 will be hot days for people working outside. 'We're looking at temperatures climbing into the 90s and a heat index higher than that,' he said. 'And we can't rule out some afternoon showers and thunderstorms [later this week].' There's a chance of another storm June 25-26, but the worst of the heat is expected for June 23-24 with things cooling down after that. (This story has been updated to add a photo.) This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Tornado kills twins, woman in Clark Mills: What we know
Korea Herald
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Korea Herald
Eastern half of US sweltering again
MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) — Tens of millions of people across the Midwest and East endured dangerously hot temperatures again on Sunday as a sprawling June heat wave that gripped much of the US was expected to last well into this week. Most of the northeastern quadrant of the country from Minnesota to Maine was under some type of heat advisory. So were parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi, the National Weather Service said. Weather service offices throughout the region warned of sweltering and sometimes life-threatening conditions through Wednesday. 'Please plan ahead to take frequent breaks if you must be outside, stay hydrated and provide plenty of water and shade for any outdoor animals,' the service office in Wakefield, Virginia, said on X. Meteorologists say a phenomenon known as a heat dome, a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere that traps heat and humidity, is responsible for the extreme temperatures. Twin 6-year-old girls were among three people killed when thunderstorms brought trees down onto homes in central New York before dawn Sunday, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office. Several inches of rain fell over just a few hours, inundating the small town of Kirkland. A neighbor, Jared Bowman, said he ran next door to help the twins' mother escape through a window after a giant maple crashed through the roof around 4 a.m. 'She was yelling, 'Get my kids out!'' Bowman told the Post-Standard. A 50-year-old woman died when a tree hit a house nearby, sheriff's officials said. The streets were littered with electrical lines and thousands in the region were without power. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 counties due to the strong storms and forecast extreme heat. Sunday marked the second straight day of extreme heat across the Midwest and East Coast. Heat indexes on Sunday hit 39.4 degrees Celsius in Chicago and 38.3 C on Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin, turning that city's annual naked bike ride into a sticky and sweaty affair. Lynn Watkins, 53, director of Sacred Hearts Day Care in Sun Prairie, a Madison suburb, said that she tried to sit outside to grill but it was so hot she had to go inside. She plans to cancel all outdoor activities at the day care on Monday with highs around 33.8 C forecast. 'I can't stand being outside when it's like this,' she said. 'I just want to sit in my air conditioning.' The heat index in Pittsburgh reached 40.5 C, and hovered around 40 C in Columbus, Ohio. Forecasts in Philadelphia called for a heat index of 42.2 C on Monday. The city's public health department declared a heat emergency through Wednesday evening. Officials directed residents to air-conditioned libraries, community centers and other locations, and set up a 'heat line' staffed by medical professionals to discuss conditions and illnesses made worse by the heat. With temperatures in the mid-80s, Delaware's Rehoboth Beach was crowded Sunday. 'It's only going to get worse,' said beachgoer Vak Kobiashvili. 'People are trying to get out to the beach before it's too hot to really even manage to be outside.' Kobiashvili said even his dog didn't want to be outside. 'East Coast weather, at least from my perspective, is just very sweaty in the summer,' he said. 'It's that walking through a swamp kind of feeling.' Forecasters warned the heat index in Cromwell, Connecticut, would reach 40.5 C on Sunday, making for a steamy day during the final round of the PGA Travelers Championship. Fans sought shelter under trees and on air-conditioned benches. Many lined up for water at a hydration station near the ninth green. Karin Skalina, of New York, had been in the sun-soaked bleachers by the eighth green and eventually sought relief on a ventilated cooling bench. 'Didn't work,' she said. '(We're) trying to follow the shade,' Skalina said. Courtney Kamansky, of Newington, Connecticut, came prepared with extra water bottles. Asked if she was able to find shade, she pointed to her umbrella and said, 'I bring it with me.' Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz got sick Saturday while playing in extreme heat against the Cardinals in St. Louis. Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton, facing the Cubs in Chicago, also fell ill.
