MADISON COUNTY – As another bout of severe storms bellowed across central New York Tuesday evening, more than 70,000 upstate NYSEG customers were left in the dark, while a number of homes and buildings collapsed under the stress of mother nature’s fury.

As a result, four people – all from central Madison County where the storm had the most damaging impact – were left dead in the wake of wind gusts that flirted with 70 mph readings according to NOAA's data.

According to Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley, four homes in the Town of Smithfield – approximately 35 miles northwest from Norwich – were razed shortly after 7 p.m.

"A storm came through here and ripped a couple houses totally apart," Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley said in an informal press briefing that was held at the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department just before before midnight, Tuesday. "We believe we've accounted for all the people in all the houses.”

The scene of destruction occurred on Goff Road in the rural town of Smithfield, which is situated approximately 30 miles southeast of Syracuse. A mother and daughter were among three who died in Smithfield, family members have told WTVH television in Syracuse.

Responders implemented a comb-search utilizing area search and rescue dogs and a pay-loader and excavator to move large debris, and Madison County Sheriff’s deputies remained on the scene into Wednesday morning.