By Jon Schuppe and Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo Reporter/Producers
CENTRAL HARLEM — Extreme winds ripped metal pieces off of a Central Harlem building Tuesday sending them crashing to the sidewalk.
Firefighters responded to the abandoned five-story building on Frederick Douglass Blvd., near 121st Street, where the winds tore a 20-foot section of a metal cornice off the building, a buildings department official confirmed.
There are unconfirmed reports someone may have been injured as the copper cornice fell to the sidewalk in two and three foot long fragments.
The FDNY roped off the sidewalk along Fredrick Douglass while they built a shed to protect people on the street.
The high winds have the city on high alert for flying debris, tree branches and construction materials.
The Department of Buildings warned contractors to do everything possible to secure cranes, scaffolding and construction materials.
The National Weather Service forecasted winds near 35 mph with gusts close to 50 mph. The Department of Buildings said fences, large equipment and materials could tear loose in the strong winds.
Contractors were told to tie down building materials and debris at sites so the items wouldn't blow away and possibly injure someone, the city said.
The Buildings Department conducted random inspections of sites around the city to make sure equipment and supplies were secure.
The department also asked homeowners to bring loose items inside. Garbage cans, grills, tools, awnings, potted plants, and satellite dishes could be destroyed by the windy weather.
