UPDATE (July 17, 10:09 a.m.): The Oneida Fire Department announced on their official Facebook page that they will be distributing dry ice and water to those in need on Wednesday, July 17, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Update (July 17, 8:27 a.m.): The city of Oneida's state of emergency has been lifted.
The Rome Prenatal Clinic and Community Rehabilitation Center were also closed due to storm damage. Community Rehabilitation Center leadership is currently developing an interim plan to continue providing care.
The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Aviation Center, 394 Hangar Road, Rome. Access to the shelter is via door 35.
Councilwoman Marianne Buttenschon issued a statement on Wednesday, July 17, thanking all first responders for their work during the storm:
“New York State, Oneida County, and Rome remain under a state of emergency at this time. Many of our families, churches, organizations, businesses, and government offices were destroyed by the tornado that touched down in Rome. My prayers are with all those who are dealing with the current disaster.
Thank you to all first responders for your unwavering support and protection. My office is available to conduct live calls and assist residents. Please stay off the streets as there is still a lot of cleanup work to be done in the community. Please call 911 for emergencies and 211 for non-emergency situations.
Thanks again to all the first responders and community members who continue to work to help those in need.
ROME, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The city declared a state of emergency after severe weather swept through Rome on Tuesday, July 16.
There were reports that a tornado allegedly struck Erie Boulevard, causing extensive damage to several businesses. There were also reports that the roof was ripped off another building in Rome and that several other buildings were also destroyed.
The Rome Police Department issued a statement saying unnecessary travel to the city should not be made due to the dangerous situation.
A transformer fire was also reported in the town of Lee, near the city of Rome.
Downed trees and power lines have been reported across central New York, making driving hazardous while crews work to clean up.
Several cities, including Utica, reported power outages, according to National Grid. Currently, about 2,500 people are without power in Utica alone. That storm alone left nearly 100,000 people without power across the state, according to the State Grid's outage map.
In Canastota, a mandatory evacuation is in effect on Barlow Street. The Canastota Fire Department set up a shelter on Center Street for those affected.
Elsewhere in the region, a state of emergency is now in place in northern Madison County, including the town of Lenox, the village of Canastota and the city of Oneida. There are many trees in the area and many roads are impassable. Crews are assessing the damage.
There is no non-essential travel to the affected areas of Madison County. If you encounter any roads that are impassable due to standing water or fallen trees, you will be asked to turn around.
As of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, Oneida County is under a state of emergency.
