High Winds Blamed For Construction Worker's Death

NY1 News  2/12/09

It didn't take long for the windstorm to turn deadly. Just after 8 a.m. Thursday morning, 59-year-old construction foreman Robert McGee was crushed when a wall fell on him as he worked on a home in Rosebank. Investigators believe the heavy wind was to blame.

"This wall was built out of concrete masonry, this masonry wall was placed prior to today, we are working with our law enforcement partners to determine the actual collapse. We believe that wind did play a factor," said Buildings Commissioner Robert Limandri.
 

Hours later in New Dorp, the wind took aim at a 40 foot billboard at the Hylan Plaza, eventually sending it tumbling down into the crowded parking lot just after lunchtime.

The fallen sign completely crushed two cars. Thankfully, no one was inside.

"We manage about 14 shopping centers on Staten Island. We have calls all day long, taking down fences, but nothing like this," said Ted Albanese, a cleanup crew member.

One car managed to escape damage, and clean up crews worked to shore the other side of the sign to prevent another collapse.

At the St. George Ferry Terminal, service was not interrupted though passengers did say the choppy winds made for an interesting commute.

"Pretty serious wind, and just looking at the waves in the harbor, lots of white caps and the spray was like Niagara Falls," said one ferry rider.

The MTA completely closed the upper level of the Verrazano Bridge for a while early in the afternoon, and permitted trucks and cars to cross only on the lower level with speed restrictions. The closures snarled traffic on the Staten Island Expressway for miles, while residents noticed the winds causing other damage besides the traffic.

"On my block, there's just garbage everywhere cause of the wind, mailboxes flying out, everything," said one Island resident.

"It's like being like a piece of paper around. It's very windy. I'm glad I'm not flying today," said another Island resident.