Chemung County Storm Update

The state of emergency in the City of Elmira is still in effect but has been modified.  There will be no curfew Friday evening but residents are still asked to avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas.  Driving is limited to business travel only. The City of Elmira will continue to employ enhanced law enforcement throughout the evening.

The Red Cross Shelter at Elmira Free Academy will remain open tonight.  Individuals without power needing oxygen may swap out their tanks at the shelter.  The shelter is available for individuals needing to bathe and food will also be provided.

The Chemung County Department of Public Works would like to advise drivers that all County roads are now passable. Within the City of Elmira, Judson Street north of Water Street and Market Street west of Judson Street remain closed.

The City of Elmira, as well as the Towns of Elmira, Southport, and Big Flats will be providing residents with storm related debris pickup which includes only trees, branches, and brush.  Residents should not transport their brush to the facilities. Chemung County Emergency Management Director Michael Smith would like to emphasis that residents not place storm debris between the curb and the sidewalk.  Please place this debris on the other side of the sidewalk closest to your home, or if you do not have a sidewalk, back 10 to 15 feet from the road, to allow access to wires and poles for the utility companies.

In addition, a flashing or black traffic light should be treated as a 4-way stop sign.  It is not a yield if no one is coming. All traffic should come to a complete stop and then proceed through the intersection safely.

The National Weather Service has confirmed the storm as an EF1 tornado which touched down at Harris Hill Manor and traveled east for 10 miles through Elmira to Jerusalem Hill.  Tornadoes such as these have winds estimated at 105-110 miles per hour. 

At this time there have been no confirmed injuries or fatalities. Code officials are still in the process of assessing home damage with 12 homes currently deemed uninhabitable due to storm damage.