Monroe County Executive Adam Bello is urging residents to take precautions as severe thunderstorms move through the Rochester area Wednesday, bringing the potential for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.
The warning comes as multiple severe weather alerts have been issued across parts of New York, including tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings in some areas.
What Monroe County residents should know
County officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and take precautions as storms move through the area.
Residents should:
- Treat dark traffic signals as four-way stops.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Operate generators outdoors and away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Prepare for possible power outages by having food, water, flashlights and medications available.
- Check on elderly neighbors and family members.
- Bring pets indoors.
- Secure outdoor items, including patio furniture and garbage totes, that could become airborne in strong winds.
What to do during a severe weather warning
The National Weather Service advises residents to monitor weather alerts and follow instructions from emergency management officials as conditions change.
If a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, move to an interior room on the lowest floor
of a sturdy building and stay away from windows until the threat has passed.
Residents should continue monitoring forecasts and emergency alerts as storm conditions evolve.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Monroe County urges residents to prepare for storms, tornadoes
