NEW YORK — A relentless series of severe storms, accompanied by at least four tornadoes, struck New York state overnight, leaving behind a path of significant destruction, at least one confirmed fatality, and extensive power outages affecting hundreds of thousands. The storms, which arrived with little forewarning, have caused substantial devastation, particularly in the central and northern regions of the state.

According to radar imagery from NBC affiliate WPTZ of Plattsburgh, tornado touchdowns were confirmed in multiple locations, including Rome, situated approximately 17 miles northwest of Utica. Additionally, tornadoes were reported in Hamilton County and Warren County, to the east of Rome. These tornadoes inflicted severe damage across the affected areas, with wind speeds reaching close to 80 mph in some regions.

Authorities have confirmed the death of a resident in the village of Canastota, located in Madison County, west of Rome. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, but this tragic loss highlights the profound impact of the storm.

As of Wednesday morning, over 110,000 customers across New York were reported to be without power due to the storms. The severe weather resulted in extensive damage to power lines and infrastructure. In response to the catastrophic events, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the entire state on Tuesday. She identified central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the Southern Tier as the regions most severely affected by the storms. In her statement, Governor Hochul underscored the gravity of the situation, following discussions with local officials such as Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan and Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.

Mayor Lanigan characterized the devastation in Rome as akin to a “war zone,” reflecting the widespread destruction. Images from Rome depict entire roads blocked by fallen trees, sidewalks damaged by uprooted trees, and extensive damage to streetlights and power lines. The level of destruction prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Binghamton to dispatch a team to assess the full extent of the damage.

The high winds in Rome were powerful enough to overturn vehicles, shatter windshields, and cause substantial structural damage. Noteworthy damage included the destruction of the roof and tower of a local church, as well as the displacement of a large B-52 bomber stationed outside the entrance of the decommissioned Griffiss Air Force Base.

The extreme weather events in New York follow a day of similar severe storms and tornadoes in the Midwest. The National Weather Service issued 16 tornado warnings across the Midwest, marking the highest number of tornado warnings in a single day since 2004.

The severe weather also impacted other regions. In Indiana, a woman named Laura Nagel, 44, was killed when a tree fell on her home in Cedar Lake during the storms. The Lake County coroner’s office confirmed her death as a direct consequence of the storm.

In Nashville, Illinois, a community of approximately 3,000 residents experienced severe flooding due to a dam breach. The breach led to the inundation of the area, resulting in evacuation orders for about 300 homes. The National Weather Service reported that the region had received between 5 and 7 inches of rain over an eight-hour period.

The impact of the severe weather extended into Canada as well, affecting Toronto, the country's largest city. Music star Drake posted a video on Instagram showing water flooding his home, humorously captioning it, “This better be Espresso Martini,” in reference to the murky brown water. The flooding in Toronto added to the extensive effects of the storm system impacting both the United States and Canada.

In summary, the destructive storms and tornadoes have triggered a substantial emergency response, with local, state, and federal agencies mobilizing resources to assist affected communities, restore power, and provide support to those impacted by the severe weather.