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Blasting Wind Sends Debris Flying, Prompts Delays At Area Airports

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Bitter winds were blasting through the Tri-State Area through the day and night Sunday.

Snow also fell in the area Sunday, leaving significant accumulation in some areas.

A wind advisory was in effect for the entire area until 6 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

CBS2's John Marshall reported the winds on Sunday topped out at 56 mph at Eatons Neck, 50 mph in Asbury Park, New Jersey and at LaGuardia Airport, 45 mph in Newark, and 43 mph in White Plains. As late as 9 p.m., winds were still whipping out of the west at 25 mph in New York City , and 41 mph in the Hamptons.

As of Sunday night, arriving flights were delayed an average of 1 hour and 6 minutes at John F. Kennedy International Airport, 1 hour and 50 minutes at LaGuardia Airport, and 2 hours and 9 minutes at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Elsewhere, the strong winds blew dangerous construction debris from the roof of a Brooklyn building on Sunday. Pieces of metal ended up on the sidewalk after falling from the Brooklyn Heights Public Library on Cadman Plaza West.

A concerned resident told CBS2 the building was going through asbestos treatment and was supposed to be tightly sealed.

There were worries that toxic air was escaping through a blown-out window late Sunday.

Brooklyn Library Debris Blows To Ground
Strong winds blew construction debris from the Brooklyn Heights Public Library on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (Credit: Justine Swartz)
Brooklyn Library Debris Blows To Ground
Strong winds blew construction debris from the Brooklyn Heights Public Library on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (Credit: Justine Swartz)

The wind on Sunday was also suspected of starting a fire that broke out in Garfield, New Jersey. Firefighters said the wind fueled the fire, making it difficult for them to get ahead.

Garfield, N.J. Fire
The wind was blamed for ripping down power lines and starting this fire in Garfield, New Jersey on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (Credit: Robert Fischer, via Facebook)

The fire destroyed the house at 122 Cambridge Ave. in Garfield, leaving a single woman and a family homeless.

There were also concerns that the winds could blow down tree limbs.

The strongest winds were expected to come on Monday, the NWS said.

Earlier in the day, snowflakes burst through the air and zipped past the American flag in Randolph, and one resident measured two inches of snow.

As CBS2's Ali Bauman reported, as the snow spiraled down, pictures of it were circulating around social media.

The streets of Freehold were looking sleek for cars as snow came down pretty consistently on Saturday night, while cars collected layers in Lawrenceville.

Some people could not believe it.

"Cold and wet and snowy and unpleasant. I wish it was summer again," Robin Angarita said.

It was the tail end of a storm system that dumped snow out in Michigan. In New Jersey it created flurries at Rutgers, and in Randolph it started to accumulate.

In upstate New York, some places looked like a winter wonderland.

Richmondville was covered in snow by 7 a.m.

Snow In Richmondville, N.Y.
Snow in Richmondville, N.Y. (credit: Billie Rama/CBS New York)

In southern Westchester County, some people looked out their bedroom windows with a smile on their faces.

"I'm ready, I love it. I like the snow, so I'm looking forward," Jill told 1010 WINS' Roger Stern.

Not Edward -- he was upset to see his lawn sprinkled with snow.

"Well it's maybe a little too early for me, but Thanksgiving is this week, and it's snowed on Thanksgiving before. It's cold," he said.

That's a good thing if you ask Howard.

"I look forward to the change in the season, it makes it interesting. I don't want it to just be cold all the time, or warm all the time. I look forward to it," he said.

The city also got its share as rain eventually turned to twirling flakes in Manhattan. Snow was also seen Sunday night despite a temperature of 40 degrees.

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