Winter Winds Whip Through Area

Photograph of an East Village scaffolding collapse by Joel Horowitz

Yesterday, strong winds and colder temperatures meant a freezing Sunday. The winds, up to 50MPH, knocked down scaffolding all over, as well as downed trees, causing power outages. In one instance, fallen scaffolding outside a new six-story building Brooklyn "crushed cars on both sides of the street." (a cop was also hit by flying corrugated metal). There was also snow, blowing sideways into the faces of people brave enough to be outside.

Some East Harlem residents accused their landlord of cutting off their heat, telling the Daily News, "I have to wear two or three sweaters and two pairs of socks to bed," but the landlord denies the charge. Building owners with tenants are required to make sure the temperature inside their buildings is at least 55 degrees between 10PM and 6AM if the outside temperature is below 40 degrees; if the outside temperature is below 55 degrees between 6AM and 10PM, the inside temperature must be 68 degrees.

It's going to be really cold today, in the teens with more strong winds, thanks to some arctic air coming through. We'll have more about the weather later.