Tornado destroys beach club on Long Island

Multiple waterspouts, or tornadoes over water, struck Long Island and Queens, New York, on Thursday night, an event not witnessed in the area since November 2021. Two waterspouts were confirmed, with at least one descending to the ground as a tornado. This destructive event occurred between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in eastern Rockaways and Atlantic Beach in southern Queens and southern Nassau County.

The waterspout in southern Nassau County came ashore as a tornado, leaving a trail of destruction behind. The tornado hit Sun and Surf Beach Club on Atlantic Beach, injuring one beach club employee. The individual declined medical attention, and no further civilian or first responder injuries were reported. A state of emergency was promptly declared in Nassau County due to the severity of the situation.

Nearby Silver Point Beach Club also suffered property damage from the twister. Search teams were mobilized to ensure no one was trapped in the damaged cabanas. The National Weather Service and emergency management partners are currently assessing the tornado's strength and impact.

First responders also assisted in rescuing individuals trapped in vehicles due to flooding in Long Island's south shore. A similar tornado struck Dover, Delaware, causing extensive damage throughout the city, including downed trees, power outages, and flooding. The city's residents were urged to remain indoors as emergency crews worked to restore power and clear the damage. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions also experienced severe storms, bringing flash flooding, heavy rain, and strong winds on Thursday night.