The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 7:50 p.m. on Monday for thunderstorms until 9:30 p.m. for Madison, Oneida, Cortland, Chenango and Otsego counties.

"Scattered showers with isolated thunderstorms will move across Cortland, Madison, Chenango, southern Oneida and Otsego counties in central NY between 8 and 930 pm. There will be a few isolated thunderstorms with lightning and brief heavy rainfall. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite media outlet for the latest information on this developing weather situation," says the weather service.

Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, mostly during the summer. Lightning claims the lives of about 20 people annually, accor

See Full Page