One of the many large trees blown down and later cut in the city on Thursday.

Severe storm damage has led Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas to declare a state of emergency so city crews and contractors can address damage from severe weather that occurred from about 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Point Gratiot is closed today, but is scheduled to be reopened Saturday. City crews as well as National Grid and Kravitz Tree Service are currently working at the Point to restore public safety.

Rosas and the Department of Public Works ask residents to be patient as crews go through the city and clear the debris in the days following this storm. “If you see something that requires immediate attention or is a matter of public safety, please call the Department of Public Works at 366-9832 (weekday daytime) or the Dunkirk Police Department at 366-2266 (anytime),” the city said.

Rosas thanks the first responders for identifying the most damaged and dangerous areas, and especially thanks the DPW Streets Division for their 14-hour marathon to cut and remove 18 large trees from roads when they were called back in for over-night duty following a very long work day of paving in the Third Ward.