Mar 31, 2006 — Last month, a powerful windstorm plowed through New York state, knocking out electricity to more than 300,000 homes and businesses. National Grid customers in the Champlain Valley and the eastern Adirondacks struggled without power for days. With temperatures plunging to minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit, emergency shelters were opened in a half-dozen towns. National Grid officials have defended their response to the storm. But many local government leaders say the company was understaffed and under prepared. The state's Public Service Commission is investigating those complaints. At a hearing yesterday in Ticonderoga, residents complained that National Grid has allowed the North Country's electrical grid to fall into disrepair. Brian Mann was there and has our story.  Go to full article

Feb 22, 2006 — National Grid officials say all but a handful of homes and businesses in the north country should have electricity restored, six days after a windstorm swept New York state. The storm caused outages to more than 300 thousand homes and businesses and killed at least two people. In the Champlain Valley and the Adirondacks, shelters were set up for displaced families. National Grid now faces growing criticism from local leaders for their response to the storm. State assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, a Republican from Willsboro, has complained about the response to the state's Public Service Commission. Sayward told Brian Mann that many locals no longer trust National Grid to provide reliable service or to provide accurate information during a crisis.  Go to full article

Feb 22, 2006 — Because the power outage lasted more than three days, National Grid will have to file a report with the state Public Service Commission. David Flanagan, a spokesman for the regulatory agency, told the Associated Press, "We will look at the company's response and the restoration." National Grid officials say they have done their best to deal with the aftermath of a devastating and unpredictable storm. More than 300 utility polls were snapped by the wind or by falling trees. Brian Mann spoke with Steve Brady, corporate communications manager for National Grid, based in Buffalo.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2006 — Parts of the north country are still without power this morning, following Friday's powerful windstorm. At least two people died in the gale. National Grid says about 30,000 of its customers are still without power, most of them in rural parts of eastern New York. At the peak of the storm, more than 325,000 utility customers across New York state lost power. Parts of Moriah, Westport, and Saratoga Springs were still without electricity yesterday, braving single-digit temperatures. Brian Mann spoke Monday morning with Eileen Reardon, executive director of the Adirondack-Saratoga chapter of the Red Cross.  Go to full article

Sep 20, 2005 — Rainstorms earlier in the summer caused tens of millions of dollars worth of damage in the southern and eastern Adirondacks. Top New York Republicans are stepping up pressure on the Bush Administration to approve disaster relief for affected counties. But as Brian Mann reports, the money could be tied up by relief efforts on the Gulf Coast.  Go to full article

Apr 17, 2003 — Stiff winds that rattled the north country Wednesay damaged docks and boathouses on Lake George. The Glens Falls Post Star is reporting that the gale topped 30 miles per hour, ramming lake ice against the shore. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Apr 07, 2003 — Work crews from the North Country have joined a clean up effort in western and central New York. A wicked ice storm over the weekend left more than 300,000 homes without power and at least four people dead. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Dec 26, 2002 — The National weather service says yesterday's snowstorm set records across much of New York. The brunt of the storm hit in the Champlain Valley and the Albany area, triggering accidents and shutting down parts of the Thruway. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Feb 01, 2002 — A winter storm that disrupted much of the country has settled over the north country. Schools are closed and a flurry of road accidents have been reported around the region. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Dec 31, 1969 — Towering black clouds gave a dramatic warning of the storm sweeping toward Potsdam mid-afternoon Tuesday. Most alarming was a funnel-shaped cloud reported by eyewitnesses, and captured in photographs. Say "funnel" and lots of us think: "tornado."

But not all funnel clouds are tornadoes, even when they're apparently dropping down from a big, black cloud.

Martha Foley got an alternative explanation and another name, derecho, from Aileen O'Donogue, who teaches climatology as well as astronomy at St. Lawrence University. Aileen was on the ground watching as the storm came toward Potsdam. (Note: we'd love a high resolution picture of Tuesday's funnel-shaped cloud. E-mail images to: radio@ncpr.org)  Go to full article