Storms and possible tornadoes pummel the Northeast US, flooding roads and damaging beaches

Heavy rain and strong winds battered the Northeast United States on Thursday, tearing through a beach on Long Island, inundating a major New York highway, and leaving parts of Delaware's capital city in darkness. Photos and videos posted online depict debris being tossed about, and a possible tornado touched down on Long Island's beach, wrecking a beach club and hurling wood beams and broken chairs onto the shoreline.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency, stating that there were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries, but property damage was evident and a search operation was underway to ensure no one was trapped. The National Weather Service had issued warnings of waterspouts, tornado-like phenomena over water, in the area, though confirmation of a tornado on the beach was not immediately available.

Meanwhile, in Delaware, a likely tornado hit Dover, causing substantial damage, including fallen trees, downed power lines, and flooded roads. The Delaware Electric Cooperative reported that over 1,000 residents in the northern part of its service area were without power. Flash flood warnings were also issued in parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.