Wind, rain and funnel clouds have ripped through parts of western and central New York for the second straight week, most recently impacting Canandaigua in Ontario County and Rome in Oneida County.
Here’s what we know about the two most recent events, including a tornado touching down in Canandaigua on Monday afternoon and a severe thunderstorm and tornado ravaging Rome on Tuesday.
Rome NY tornado is officially an EF-2
The National Weather Service officially determined that an EF-2 tornado touched down Tuesday afternoon in Rome, Oneida County, with peak winds of 135 mph.
The twister touched down at 3:25 p.m. and was on the ground for 10 minutes and traveled 5.25 miles, according to the data released Wednesday night. The tornado had a path width of 300 yards. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
A strong rotation caused the funnel to touch down between the Erie Canal and Muck Road and traveled northeast, directly through the City of Rome, before lifting up near Griffiss International Airport.
The tornado heavily damaged two churches – to both the roofs and steeps, ripped off roofs of several other buildings, caused exterior brick and concrete walls to collapse, crushed multiple vehicles, uprooted or snapped branches on hundreds of trees. The twister also caused blown out garage doors or windows and for bricks, branches or other objects to impale exterior walls of many buildings, according to the report.
An EF-2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, has winds speeds between 111 and 135 mph, which is strong enough to rip a roof off a structure.
Rome NY tornado had estimated wind speeds up to 135 mph
The National Weather Service in Binghamton was still assessing the storm damage in Rome as of late Wednesday afternoon, the team has “found damage consistent with an EF-2 rating, with estimated wind speeds up to 135 mph,” according to the Weather Service. A final assessment on the twister and corresponding damage is expected to be released Wednesday night.
An EF-2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, has winds speeds between 111 and 135 mph, which is strong enough to rip a roof off a structure.
Tornado batters Rome NY: See photos of the aftermath
NWS confirms tornado touch down in Rome NY
The National Weather Service in Binghamton late Wednesday morning confirmed that a tornado touched down in Rome, Oneida County, at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday. A team from the agency is surveying the damage in Oneida County, and expects to issue a report Wednesday night on the damage – including tornado path and strength, as well as how long the twister was on the ground.
Hinckley Reservoir in Herkimer County NY closed due to storm damage
State officials have temporarily closed Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area in Cold Brook, Herkimer County, due to damage from Tuesday’s severe thunderstorms. Roads leading to the facility are badly damaged and impassable. The area will be closed until further notice, state officials said.
NY declares state of emergency after tornados, storm damage
A state of emergency has been declared for all of New York after several strong storms wreaked havoc across the Empire State within the past week. Nine tornadoes have been confirmed statewide so far as a result of the recent severe weather, with one of the most recent tearing through Canandaigua.
“With possible tornado touchdowns across the state, we are standing ready to assist localities however necessary as severe weather continues to move across the state,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release. “New Yorkers should be sure to monitor their local forecasts and prepare for hazardous travel and other impacts from these storms.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul to address tornado, storm damage in NY
Gov. Kathy Hochul is scheduled to brief the media on the latest with storm damage in Oneida County and corresponding cleanup efforts. The news conference is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. on West Liberty Street in Rome.
‘It looks like a war zone’
“It looks like a war zone,” Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan said Tuesday during a news conference at Griffiss Air Field, which has become a command center and relief station for residents. “It takes your breath away.”
Authorities issued a “no unnecessary travel” order for Rome and the surrounding communities.
Tornado-force winds hit nearby Griffiss Air Field at about 3:35 p.m. Wednesday. According to the Weather Service, the strongest gust was 79 mph.
Cleanup is expected to take weeks, according to Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.
Power outages in Rome NY
According to National Grid, more than 20,700 customers in Oneida County remained without power following Tuesday’s severe storm. Roughly half of those customers are located within the City of Rome, according to the utility company. Statewide, more than 75,000 National Grid customers were without power Wednesday morning.
Did a tornado touch down in Rome NY?
There is no official word as of Wednesday morning, but many officials believe a tornado formed during Tuesday’s thunderstorm.
The National Weather Service in Binghamton will send a team to survey the damage on Wednesday following Tuesday’s storm and subsequent damage. The Weather Service is expected to make a determination by the Wednesday evening.
Storm, possible tornado ravages Rome NY
Trees were uprooted and power lines were knocked down throughout the City of Rome and some buildings were heavily damaged – with shattered windows, ripped siding, crushed brick walls and damaged roofs. Tens of thousands also lost power as a result of the storm.
Several churches lost their roofs and steeples in the storm – including at First Presbyterian Church of Rome, one of the city’s oldest and tallest buildings. The steeple crashed through the roof and into the nave. Uprooted trees landed on many roadways, making them impassable, on power lines and on structures. Numerous vehicles were also overturned by the wind.
The massive mural of a man riding a horse, one of the city’s best-known landmarks, has crumbled. Now, only the horse’s feet are visible on the decimated brick wall.
A state of emergency and a curfew were set in place in Rome and the surrounding communities for at least five days.
Due to damages to or around city and county offices and courthouses, these buildings will be closed, and all services will be moved to Utica.
Tornado touches down in Cortland County, New York
The Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Virgil, Cortland County, on Monday evening.
The twister rated an EF-0, which is considered weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, and had winds reaching 80 mph and traveled 7.5 miles. It touched down at 6:25 p.m. Monday and traveled northeast, lasting 12 minutes. It remains unclear whether the funnel remained on the ground for the entire path – it was 175 yards wide.
The twister damaged numerous trees and damaged the roofs of several homes.
Tornado damages in Canandaigua NY
The twister rated an EF-0, or weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with peak winds speeds of 75 mph. It touched down at 4:48 p.m. Monday and was on the ground for two minutes, and traveled .7 miles, according to the data released Tuesday afternoon. The tornado had a path width of 75 yards.
The tornado damaged trees along the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake, from Kershaw Park through a development just east of the park and into Canandaigua Country Club, according to the Weather Service. High winds caused some trees to snap and uprooted others. Shingles, siding and other aluminum fascia were damaged on some homes. There was also some tree and utility pole damage along Eastern Boulevard.