Mother Nature Blasted North Fork, Riverhead With Winds Sunday

Mother Nature hit the North Fork and Riverhead with her best shot on Sunday, pounding the area with winds of up to 53 miles per hour.

The winds stirred up a massive dust storm from Riverhead out to the North Fork on Route 48; the high winds left behind a wake of downed tree limbs and left one power line, across from the town beach in Southold, hanging precariously.

According to meteorologist Lauren Nash of the National Weather Service's office in Upton, a wind advisory was in effect Sunday, and wind speeds of up to 53 miles per hour were reported in the area as far east as Orient.

The reason for the strong winds, Nash said, was a cold front that moved through the area, with the gusty winds following behind.