UPDATE: Severe Storm Warning Lifted

A fierce, fast-moving storm system that wreaked havoc on Upstate New York broke apart over Long Island and has moved away, forecasters said. 

At 9 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service lifted a severe thunderstorm warning for Queens and Nassau County as the big storm system, known as a "derecho," broke up over Long Island Sound. Rain may continue into Friday with occassional thunder, forecasters said.

Only sporadic power outages were reported in the immediate area of Plainview, according to LIPA.

Earlier Thursday, forecasters warned that the storm could cause severe damage in places and suggested residents seek shelter immediately.

The storm spawned a suspected tornado in Elmira, N.Y., today, and caused "downbursts," or powerful, straight winds with powerful destructive force. Tens of thousands of people are without power across New York State and in Pennsylvania, authorities said.

A derecho is a kind of super thunderstorm, a widespread, straight-line windstorm associated with severe lightening and heavy gusts. This storm was moving at about 60 mph, and was closing in on the New York City area around 7 p.m.