Event Summary

A strong pressure gradient developed between Hurricane Gustav, which intensified as it moved offshore, and a high pressure system, which built southeast. High winds quickly developed behind a strong cold front that trailed from a low pressure system over Northeast New England around 10:00 am EDT. Wind speeds were sustained from 25 to 35 mph with peak gusts from 45 to 55 mph. The highest wind gust measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at JFK Airport in Queens at 60 miles per hour at 2:27 pm EDT. In Manhattan, 4 injuries occurred. A construction worker was critically injured when gusting winds blew a piece of plywood off the AOL Time Warner Center "under construction" in Columbus Circle around 1 pm. The plywood struck his head. Two women passers-by suffered minor injuries; a minor leg injury and shock. In midtown Manhattan, debris fell to the ground from a building construction site, which injured a passenger in a taxi.