![\"\"](\"http:\/\/us.weatheramerica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/storms-in-new-york-1407.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A round of strong thunderstorms<\/strong> swept through Herkimer<\/strong> and Hamilton Counties<\/strong> Sunday evening, bringing with them gusty winds up to 50 mph<\/strong>, penny-sized hail<\/strong>, and frequent lightning<\/strong>. The National Weather Service<\/strong> issued a severe weather alert<\/strong> at 5:21 p.m., warning residents to brace for hazardous conditions through at least 6 p.m.<\/p>\n According to meteorologists, the storm was first spotted by Doppler radar<\/strong> about 8 miles north of Ohio, New York<\/strong>, or roughly 18 miles south of Old Forge<\/strong>, moving east at around 15 mph. The system had the potential to down tree limbs<\/strong>, scatter unsecured items, and cause minor hail damage to vegetation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The storm targeted a number of rural communities including Caswell Lake<\/strong>, Mountain Home<\/strong>, Nobleboro<\/strong>, Atwell<\/strong>, Wilmurt<\/strong>, Wheelertown<\/strong>, Wilmurt Corners<\/strong>, Morehouseville<\/strong>, Hoffmeister<\/strong>, North Wilmurt<\/strong>, and Herkimer Landing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The bigger concern, however, was the frequent cloud-to-ground lightning<\/strong> associated with the storm. Meteorologists reminded residents that lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the storm\u2019s core<\/strong>, creating a danger zone<\/strong> well beyond the rainfall or thunderhead.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re close enough to hear thunder, you\u2019re close enough to be struck by lightning,\u201d forecasters warned.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This latest round of thunderstorms comes as lightning activity reaches its seasonal peak<\/strong> across the United States. Every year, lightning strikes the country approximately 25 million times<\/strong>, and on average, around 20 people die<\/strong> as a result.<\/p>\n The greatest danger<\/strong> occurs as a storm approaches, but lightning risk can linger<\/strong> even after the last flash is seen or the final rumble of thunder fades. Weather experts stress the importance of seeking shelter indoors or inside a hard-topped vehicle<\/strong> at the first sign of an approaching storm.<\/p>\n Alongside the electrical threat, heavy downpours<\/strong> have made travel across the region hazardous<\/strong>, particularly on rural highways and back roads. The first 30 minutes of rainfall<\/strong> are especially treacherous, as built-up oil and grime on the road surface<\/strong> combine with water to create slick conditions.<\/p>\n Drivers are being urged to slow down<\/strong>, keep their headlights on<\/strong>, and leave extra space<\/strong> between vehicles. Hydroplaning remains a serious risk, particularly at higher speeds or in pooled water. Those driving near large trucks or buses<\/strong> should be cautious, as their spray can severely limit visibility.<\/p>\n If the rain becomes too intense to drive safely, officials recommend pulling over<\/strong> to a safe area\u2014ideally beyond a guardrail\u2014and turning on emergency flashers<\/strong> to alert other motorists.<\/p>\n Forecasters say the storm system could continue to impact parts of Central New York<\/strong> into the late evening, with additional lightning<\/strong>, rain<\/strong>, and gusty winds<\/strong> possible overnight. While the worst of the system may pass quickly, scattered showers and storm cells could linger.<\/p>\n Residents in Herkimer<\/strong>, Hamilton<\/strong>, and nearby counties are encouraged to stay weather-aware<\/strong>, especially if planning to be outdoors. Even after the storm moves on, residual risks like downed branches<\/strong>, localized flooding<\/strong>, and slick roadways<\/strong> may persist well into the night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A round of strong thunderstorms swept through Herkimer and Hamilton Counties Sunday evening, bringing with them gusty winds up to 50 mph, penny-sized hail, and frequent lightning. The National Weather Service issued a severe weather alert at 5:21 p.m., warning residents to brace for hazardous conditions through at least 6 p.m. According to meteorologists, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/h3>\n
Lightning safety top of mind as storm season peaks<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Heavy rain makes roads slick and visibility poor<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Conditions likely to remain unstable through Sunday night<\/h3>\n