Tornadoes and Severe Storms Hit Northeast US and Mid Atlantic

A rare tornado and severe storms battered the northeastern United States and Mid Atlantic regions on Thursday, leading to states of emergency in several jurisdictions. In New York, a waterspout moved ashore at Atlantic Beach in Nassau County and was classified as a tornado by the National Weather Service. The storm caused significant damage to the Sun and Surf Beach Club, where at least 50 beach cabanas were destroyed. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency for the county.

Heavy rainfall caused widespread flash flooding across New York City and surrounding areas. Major roadways, including the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway, were closed. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported delays and suspensions to train services, including the C and E lines, while water entered platforms at Penn Station. In Jersey City, emergency crews rescued 69 people trapped in vehicles. Air travel was also impacted, with the Federal Aviation Administration implementing ground delays for flights heading to JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports.

The severe weather extended to other states. In Dover, Delaware, a tornado caused significant damage to two hotels, including a Super Lodge motel that lost its roof. Dover officials declared a state of emergency, which was lifted on Friday morning. In Pennsylvania, a tornado was sighted in Columbia, and damage to a high school and six townhouses was reported in York County. In Virginia, a man died after being struck by lightning on a beach in Cape Charles, while a woman with him suffered minor injuries.

Additional flooding was reported in central Ohio near Columbus, where the storms forced water rescue operations and the closure of Interstate 70 in Licking County. The National Weather Service continues to investigate whether other waterspouts made landfall in the New York region.