Freezing Rain Causes Widespread Damage Across Rochester Area

Utility poles, trees, and power lines down after overnight ice storm

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Freezing rain hit the Rochester, New York area overnight, causing widespread damage from fallen utility poles, trees, and power lines. At least one car had a broken windshield, and there were numerous reports of downed trees and power outages across Monroe and Genesee Counties.

Why it matters

Freezing rain can create hazardous conditions, leading to power outages, property damage, and potential safety risks for residents. This storm highlights the vulnerability of the region's infrastructure to extreme weather events and the need for preparedness measures.

The details

The freezing rain caused a utility pole to fall on Buffalo Road near Mount Read Boulevard in Rochester, leaving wires down. Large tree limbs also fell onto a house on Westmoreland Drive near Mt. Hope Avenue, and an entire tree fell onto Deming Street between Elmgrove and Long Pond roads in Greece. While there were not widespread outages, RG&E reported around 50 outages in Monroe County, and National Grid reported 240 outages in Genesee County as of 5 a.m. on Friday.

  • The freezing rain occurred overnight on Thursday, March 6, 2026.
  • Damage was reported early Friday morning, March 7, 2026.

The players

RG&E

A utility company serving Monroe County, New York.

National Grid

A utility company serving Genesee County, New York.

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What’s next

Utility crews will continue to work to restore power and clear debris from the affected areas.

The takeaway

This storm serves as a reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and preparedness for extreme weather events in the Rochester region.