Con Edison prepared for power outages as storm floods Westchester County streets
MAMARONECK, N.Y. - Tuesday night's storm flooded streets and parkways in Westchester County.
CBS New York's Dick Brennan reports Yonkers Police were out doing rescues.
Drivers on the Bronx River Parkway South in Crestwood, Yonkers, reached the end of the line -- a stretch of roadway notorious for flooding with far less rainwater, being just feet from the Bronx River.
On roadways around the areas, flooding was more than likely Tuesday. A pounding rain hit the pavement and blasted windshields.
"It's really windy out here, and forget about the umbrellas. Try to use a hood. The umbrella's not gonna work," Tuckahoe resident Paula Gozzo said.
On Central Avenue in Yonkers, one of the busiest six lanes of roadway you will ever see on a normal day, things were different. Many had heeded warnings to stay inside.
Con Edison brings in 1,000 reinforcements ahead of storm
Con Edison says it knows Tuesday's storm could be a dangerous one that could leave many without power.
In Westchester County on Tuesday, optimism remained high, but many have been preparing for the worst. James Abbate is taking no chances.
"Every time it rains, our heart is in our throat ... I have been flooded six times," he said. "I moved my motorcycle, we're moving our cars, whatever we can lift from the basement."
Downtown Mamaroneck is known to flood; many there hope history doesn't repeat itself.
"Every time it rains like what they're calling for, we worry because a lot of people suffer around here," Harris resident Greg Mercurio said.
Watch John Dias' report
Ali Shibah owns Mamaroneck Variety on Mamaroneck Avenue. He says his convenience store has flooded at least three times. In 2021, his whole basement was destroyed.
"If you're inside the store, it reaches up to your belly. That's how high it got ... [I lost] everything," he said. "Every time it really floods, we lose everything. We have to rebuild, but at some point, you get tired."
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It's not just potential flooding that area officials are worried about, but power outages, too.
Ahead of the storm, Con Edison dispatched emergency crews around the county to trim dead, diseased or dying trees to reduce the chances of limbs falling on overhead wires. Arborists say they have stepped up these efforts since 2018.
"With the climate change and the intensity of the storms, and we are being proactive ahead of time and removing these hazards before they fall and the damage power lines," Con Edison Operating Supervisor Ryan Teichs said. "It's freezing cold, they're not losing power, so we are doing the best that we can to prevent these things from happening."
But if there are power outages, some residents have back-up plans.
"I have a portable generator at the back. If I lose power, I think my gas tank is full, and I just put in the gas and plug in the portable generators to the house, then I'm good to go," resident Tong Chow said.
Con Edison called in reinforcements for this storm. They said they have about 1,000 extra workers from outside New York ready to go, in case there are major power outages.
Officials with Con Edison recommend staying away from downed wires, and for people to report service disruptions.
You can stay up to date on power outages and storm prep by using their mobile app or by clicking here.
