Central NY Cleaning up After Severe Storms

Residents in parts of central New York are cleaning up damage caused by severe storms that downed trees, flooded roads and basements and tore the roofs off several structures across the region.

The thunderstorms that passed in a northeasterly direction Tuesday afternoon dumped nearly two inches of rain on Syracuse, where a stretch of Interstate 81 north of downtown was closed for about two hours when the highway flooded, stranding some motorists in their cars.

The storm brought heavy rain, 60-mph winds and hail, with damage to homes, barns and other structures reported in several communities around Syracuse and in surrounding counties. The National Weather Service says it will check out reports that a tornado was spotted in Oneida County late Tuesday afternoon.

No injuries were reported.