Clean-Up Begins Across Tri-State Area After Thursday's Powerful Storms
MONTGOMERY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Tri-State Area residents are taking stock after Thursday's storm that ripped through.
The storm brought hail, strong winds and heavy rain, which ravaged the small village of Montgomery in Orange County.
Large trees fell on Sara Carter's house, pool and two cars, destroying both.
"We quickly just took cover because we started hearing trees come through the house. We ran to the basement, and it was just, it was terrifying," she told CBS2's Nick Caloway.
The Carters just moved into a house on Purple Martin Road in March, and in the blink of an eye, the property was devastated.
Still, there was a silver lining; dozens of neighbors spent the day helping to clean up.
"Yes, I've gotta help my community. We're all one. We're all one," neighbor Melody Taylor said.
The entire neighborhood was hit hard by the storm.
"It took a lot of trees out, took a lot of power lines out. Over 10,000 people without power," Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said.
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On Route 211, a tree came down on Krystal Coyley's home.
"When it fell and it hit, it shook us so much that everything that was on tables and chairs all fell to the ground," she said.
She was inside with her kids and considers herself lucky.
"My kids are safe. We're safe. We've just got a big problem on our hands now, but we'll get through it," Coyley said.
Around the corner on Freida Street, Kenneth White feels the same way after a large tree destroyed his brand new above-ground pool.
"It's terrible, but thank god it didn't hit the house and my kids are fine. Pool is replaceable," he said.
County officials say thousands of people were still without power Friday. The utility companies say most, if not all, residents should get their lights back on by the end of the night.
The National Weather Service is checking on whether a possible tornado touched down in the area.
MORE: Storms Take Down Trees, Leave Damage Behind After Sweeping Through Tri-State Area
Connecticut was slammed by strong winds, heavy rain and hail. Gov. Ned Lamont toured some of the damage Friday and declared a state of emergency.
I've declared a State of Emergency to help expedite the response to yesterday's severe weather.@CTNationalGuard teams remain in the most severely impacted communities.
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) August 28, 2020
We continue to work with town leaders and utility officials to move resources where they are most needed. pic.twitter.com/K2k2PRpTzc
"This powerful storm that moved so quickly into our state yesterday evening caused severe damage in certain communities and left thousands without power, just a couple of weeks following similar damage from Tropical Storm Isaias," Lamont said in a statement. "I remain in consistent communication with town leaders and utility officials so that we can move resources to where they are most needed at this time."
In Westport, Connecticut, roads that were just cleared following Tropical Storm Isaias were blocked again by toppled trees and downed wires.
The storm uprooted more trees in North Haven.
WATCH: Gov. Lamont Declares State Of Emergency In Connecticut After Damage --
The governor says they're better prepared with the response this time around.
"We have, I believe, the manpower here, and we're getting folks yet again from Maine, et cetera, to come into the area," Lamont said. "Everything we need to do this as fast and efficiently as possible."
Nearly 8,000 customers were still without power Friday afternoon, with more than half of them in Branford.
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