Cornell announced a tornado warning for the Ithaca campus at approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, set to last until 2:15 p.m. The University then cancelled the warning at 2:15 p.m. and notified the Cornell community about the change in status at around 2:30 p.m.
Ithaca remains under severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The University warned that “hail and damaging winds remain likely” throughout the watch.
Text message, email and phone call warnings were sent out to the Cornell community from the CornellALERT system at approximately 2 p.m., relaying that there was a weather emergency unfolding in the area.
Cornell’s Office of Emergency Management advised the community to “take shelter immediately in [a] permanent building. Stay away from windows and doors. … Wait for an all clear notification from university officials or local authorities,” on its website.
Approximately 3,610 Tompkins County residents are currently without power as of 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, according to the New York State Electric and Gas website.
NYSEG estimates that electricity will be restored in most of the county by approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday, although they are still assessing the restoration time for some locations.
Thursday’s storm shut down multiple roads across Tompkins County, including Route 13, or Elmira Rd. The county set out a SIREN alert at approximately 3:30 p.m. notifying the community to avoid this road, as well as the intersection of Five Mile Rd and NYS 327, due to downed trees and wires.
The community should avoid these routes for eight to 10 hours, according to the SIREN alert.
Update, 7/3, 3:15 p.m.: This article has been updated to include information about the tornado warning cancellation and effects of the hazardous weather.
Update, 7/3, 4:48 p.m.: This article has been updated to include information about the power outages and road closures.

Varsha Bhargava is a news editor for the 143rd Editorial Board and a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She can be reached at vbhargava@cornellsun.com.