Thunderstorms to Smack Rockland Thursday Night [UPDATE]

UPDATE: At 7 p.m. today, electric service to approximately 3,000 O&R customers has been interrupted at 90 different damage locations. O&R has about 300,000 electric customers. Orange County has the most customers out of service at this hour with 2,081, Sullivan County with 1,012, Rockland with 50 and Pike with 35.    

Rockland County is expected to see powerful thunderstorms Thursday from evening until about 1 a.m., according to the Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services.

The squalls are likely to bring 40-miles-per-hour winds and heavy rains to the region. Large hail is also a possibility, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain may result in ponding on roadways and/or minor flooding, emergency officials added. Rainfall is expected to total around three-quarters of an inch.

and are often hit hardest by flooding.

Emergency officials are also reminding residents to move inside when lightning begins. "Lightning is one of nature's number one killers," Rockland officials said in a press release. "Remember: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."

In early June, .

Rockland County executive C. Scott Vanderhoef is issuing a similar caveat.

"I advise Rockland County residents, businesses, and visitors to take time to monitor weather developments throughout the day, and to plan appropriately to protect people, pets and property in the event severe weather approaches our area," he said.

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What's cancelled

• The concert tonight at West Nyack Hamlet Green has been moved inside to the Felix Festa Middle School Auditorium. The concert begins at 7:30pm.

• Tonight's Tappan Zee Bridge forum in Suffern has been postponed. No rain date has been set yet. Patch has details .
• Tonights Rockland Boulders game at Provident Bank Park in Pomonawas postponed due to the weather. The Boulders will play a double header on Monday.

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Storm tips from Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services

• Tie down or bring inside lawn furniture, trash cans, tools and hanging plants that could be projectiles during the storm.

• If you have a basement, check sump pumps to ensure they are operating and be prepared to use a backup system.

• Have a standby generator or alternative source of power available.

• Check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.

• Stay inside, away from windows and glass doors.

• Charge your cellphones and important electronic devices.

• Turn refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.

• Unplug major appliances.

If you lose electrical service

• Call your utility first to determine area repair schedules.

• Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload
  when service is restored.

• Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food spoilage.

• If you have space in your refrigerator or freezer, fill plastic containers with water, leaving an inch of space inside each one.

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