Northeast cleans up from intense storms; 2 dead

[July 27, 2012]  ELMIRA, N.Y. (AP) -- Communities around the Northeast are cleaning up after strong thunderstorms swept from Ohio into upstate New York, knocking out power to tens of thousands and leaving at least two people dead.

In New York City, the storm is blamed for killing a 61-year-old man who was struck by collapsing scaffolding outside a Brooklyn church. Police say lighting brought bricks down onto the scaffolding. A woman in Pennsylvania was killed by a tree felled by Thursday's powerful storms.

A state of emergency and curfew remains in effect in Elmira, N.Y., as crews continue clearing trees and repairing power lines that were brought down by a possible tornado.

The storms temporarily shut down operations at the annual Ohio State Fair in Columbus.

There's a chance of more storms around the region on Friday.

[Associated Press]

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