At least five radar-confirmed tornadoes struck New York City Tuesday afternoon. NBC5 meteorologists were able to use long-standing radar technology to identify where tornado remnants were located. One tornado was in Rome, Oneida County, where significant damage was reported. Photos show a destroyed church and a B-52 bomber literally blown from its position. Then there was a brief tornado between Old Forge and Inlet, just south of New York Route 28. Then another tornado struck Hamilton County in a remote area near Morehouse. Two more tornadoes touched down near Wells, in both Hamilton and Warren Counties. There may have been a sixth tornado near Edinburg, but radar data was not beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, a storm investigation is needed to know exactly what happened in Edinburg on the northwest side of Great Sacandaga Lake. The following list shows the estimated time the debris first appeared on radar. The data comes from radar in Montague, New York, near the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. The radar in Albany also showed many of the same characteristics, but was generally not as clear.Rome, Oneida County — 3:27 p.m. — EF-2South of Old Forge, Herkimer County — 4:13 p.m. — Unknown strengthNear Morehouse, Hamilton County — 4:16 p.m. — Unknown strengthWest of Wells, Hamilton County — 4:33 p.m. — EF-1East of Wells, Warren County — 4:49 p.m. — Unknown strengthThe National Weather Service in Binghamton determined the tornado in Rome to be an EF-2 with 135 mph winds.The National Weather Service in Albany determined the tornado west of Wells to be an EF-1 with 100 mph winds.The unknown-strength tornadoes are unlikely to receive storm surveys because they occurred in remote areas — in some cases deep in the woods. Other factors, such as personnel and weather, play a role in the determination. The Albany office has jurisdiction over this area. In addition to these five radar-confirmed tornadoes, the National Weather Service in Albany found evidence of two other tornadoes that did not produce debris on radar. Most tornadoes in the area are not strong enough, or close enough to radar, to produce a debris signature, making the five above special cases. As the weather system moved eastward into the NBC5 viewing area, the threat changed to mostly straight-line winds. Glens Falls, New York reported a wind gust of 87 mph. Lyme, New Hampshire, near the Connecticut River, experienced a powerful EF-1 tornado with winds of 110 mph around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night. At one point Tuesday night, more than 9,000 customers were without power in the NBC5 viewing area. Southern Vermont, Essex County, New York, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire were the hardest hit areas in the area. Much of the power outages in Essex County are likely related to storm damage just to the south.
At least five radar-confirmed tornadoes hit New York on Tuesday afternoon.
NBC5 meteorologists were able to use long-standing radar technology to identify where tornado debris signatures occurred.
One tornado was in Rome, Oneida County, where significant damage was reported. Photos show a destroyed church and a B-52 bomber literally moved from its position.
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Then there was a brief tornado between Old Forge and Inlet, just south of New York Route 28.
Then, in a remote area near Morehouse, Hamilton County was hit by another tornado.
Two more occurred near Wells, in Hamilton and Warren counties.
There may have been a sixth tornado near Edinburg, but the radar data was not beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, a storm investigation is needed to know exactly what happened in Edinburg on the northwest side of Great Sacandaga Lake.
The following list shows the estimated time that The debris first appeared on radar.
Data comes from radar in Montague, New York, near the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. The Albany radar also showed many of the same features, but was generally not as clear.
- Rome, Oneida County — 3:27 p.m. — EF-2
- South of Old Forge, Herkimer County — 4:13 p.m. — Unknown strength
- Near Morehouse, Hamilton County — 4:16 p.m. —Unknown strength
- West of Wells, Hamilton County — 4:33 p.m. — EF-1
- East of Wells, Warren County — 4:49 p.m. —Unknown strength
The National Weather Service in Binghamton determined the Rome tornado was an EF-2 with winds of 135 mph (217 km/h).
The National Weather Service in Albany determined the tornado west of Wells was an EF-1 with winds of 100 mph.
The tornadoes with unknown strength likely won’t receive storm research because they occurred in remote areas — in some cases in the middle of the forest. Other factors, such as staff and weather, play a role in the decision. The Albany office has jurisdiction over this area.
In addition to these five radar-confirmed tornadoes, the National Weather Service in Albany found evidence of two other tornadoes that left no debris on radar.
Most tornadoes are not locally strong enough, or close enough to radar, to produce a debris trail. The five tornadoes listed above are therefore special cases.
As the weather system moved eastward toward the NBC5 viewing area, the threat changed to mostly straight-line winds. Glens Falls, New York reported a gust of 87 mph.
Lyme, New Hampshire, near the Connecticut River, was hit by a powerful EF-1 tornado with 110 mph (177 km/h) winds on Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m.
More than 9,000 customers were without power in NBC5’s viewing area on Tuesday evening.
Southern Vermont, Essex County, New York, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire were the hardest hit areas locally.
Much of the power outages in Essex County are likely due to storm damage just south of there.