By ELYSE BETTERS

Contributing Writer

PLATTSBURGH — Strong winds blowing northeast across upstate New York reached 75 mph Sunday, causing toppled trees, scattered power outages and some flooding in the region.

The high winds began Sunday morning in the greater Buffalo area and moved northeast by early afternoon. The National Weather Service quickly issued a high-wind warning for Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties and a flood warning for Clinton County.

DOWNED TREES, OUTAGES

In the North Country, some downed trees and power disruptions were reported by residents in AuSable Forks, Ticonderoga, Churubusco, Saranac, Mooers and northern Franklin County.

“These winds have the capability of knocking down tree limbs and small trees, as well as move or create a potential flying hazard of any loose objects,” the National Weather Service’s Web site forecasted Sunday.

Eric Day, director of Clinton County Emergency Services, said the high winds toppled large trees into roadways throughout Mooers, AuSable Forks, Lyon Mountain, Peru and Saranac.

“The trees that came down across the roads in Mooers and AuSable blocked both lanes and traffic,” Day said. “But things were taken care of right away. A few power lines were knocked out, but luckily no fires were started.”

‘SHOOK WHOLE HOUSE’

Kenneth King, 60, of Owls Head said the severe winds are some of the worst he has ever experienced since living in northern Franklin County.

“I’ve been in Owls Head for 14 years, but I have never felt winds like this,” he said. “I was sitting in the living room — the middle of my house — and I could feel the gusts of wind shake the whole house. That’s never happened before.”