The Tompkins County Emergency Communications Center had what it believes to be the highest volume of calls in a single day on Monday, July 15, due to severe storms.
The center said in a Thursday statement that the vast majority of calls received by the center from the afternoon through the late evening on July 15 were for trees and wires down, as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the area, producing heavy rain and high winds.
The storm produced inch-sized hail, caused severe tree damage, and left thousands of NYSEG customers in the dark. Power outages and roadway obstacles have largely been cleared as of Thursday, with only small power outages still reported by NYSEG, compared to the thousands reported across the Finger Lakes region Monday and Tuesday.
As of Thursday morning, the utility reports fewer than 200 customers in Tompkins County to remain without power. There were no reports of any injuries due to the weather event.
“I want to extend my thanks and gratitude for the exemplary performance demonstrated by our 9-1-1 Center personnel,” said John Halaychik, Assistant Director-911 at the Department of Emergency Response. “I believe the 455 calls for service is the highest single-day volume we’ve experienced in the last 10 years, if not ever.”
The Cortland County Department of Emergency Response and Communications assisted Tompkins County with handling overflow 9-1-1 calls for storm-related incidents.
“The way situations, communications, and notifications were made and handled was top-notch,” added Halaychik. “Everyone involved is to be commended for their professionalism and actions, both in the 9-1-1 Center and those first responder personnel in the field, who – in their feedback to us - were extremely grateful of the effort and coordination.”
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