High winds can cause downed trees and power lines, flying debris and building collapses, which may lead to power outages, transportation disruptions, damage to buildings and vehicles, and serious injury.

Recent Wind Events in New York City

In February 2009, high winds fanned the flames of a fire in Woodhaven, Queens, which damaged 11 homes and caused minor injuries to six firefighters and pedestrians before firefighters were able to put it out. The winds also knocked down trees which destroyed parked cars in Fresh Meadows, Queens.

In August 2009, a thunderstorm with wind gusts of up to 70 mph knocked down more than 100 trees and damaged hundreds more in Central Park. The winds caused the most severe destruction the park has seen in more than 30 years.

In October 2009, fierce winds up to 50 mph toppled 11 trees onto homes throughout the five boroughs, even splitting a three- story house in half in Queens. City officials closed part of Broadway in Manhattan after debris from a building fell onto the street, re-routing bus lines and pedestrian traffic and causing long delays. Trees that fell onto power lines caused power outages throughout the City, leaving more than 3000 Con Ed customers temporarily without power.

To learn more about past weather events, visit the National Climatic Data Center's storm events database.

WIND ADVISORY: Sustained winds of at least 30 mph for one hour or more, gusts from 45 to 57 mph.

HIGH WIND WARNING: Sustained winds at least 40 mph for one hour or more, or gusts to 58 mph or more. Warnings are issued when existing or imminent high winds cover part or all of the forecast area and pose a threat to life and property.

BEAUFORT WIND SCALE: Simplified scale developed to aid in the estimation of wind speed and typical effects: