Severe thunderstorms unleashed chaos across New York on Thursday evening, with waterspouts making landfall, tornado warnings issued, and widespread flooding disrupting transportation and damaging property. The National Weather Service (NWS) is reviewing damage from potential twisters in the eastern Rockaways and Atlantic Beach in southern Queens and Nassau counties.
Shocking videos captured at least one waterspout off the South Shore of Long Island as strong winds and heavy rain battered the region. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman confirmed a tornado had touched down in Atlantic Beach. A tornado warning was also issued for Queens, prompting officials to urge residents to seek shelter indoors, move away from windows, and avoid basements.
The intense downpour triggered flash floods across New York City, inundating parts of the subway system. Images showed significant water accumulation in stations, leading to service disruptions. The C train was suspended, while the A, E, and F lines experienced delays as crews worked to remove water from the tracks. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) advised travelers to anticipate extended travel times into Friday morning.
Air travel was severely impacted, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing ground delays for flights arriving at John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International airports. By Friday afternoon, JFK reported 167 cancellations and 414 delays, LaGuardia had 219 cancellations and 299 delays, and Newark saw 116 cancellations and 413 delays. Ground delays were lifted later Friday, though some departure delays and cancellations persisted.
In Atlantic Beach, where a tornado is believed to have touched down, first responders found approximately 50 cabanas damaged or destroyed by the severe winds. A club employee sustained a minor head injury but declined medical attention. The Sun and Surf Beach Club sustained significant damage and was closed until further notice. Nassau County declared a state of emergency in response to the weather events. The Inwood Fire Department chief described the situation as fortunate, noting that many people were not injured given the popularity of the beach club during summer.
New York City authorities had issued a travel advisory earlier in the day, warning of strong thunderstorms capable of producing rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour. The NWS initially spotted the first waterspout on Long Island, which appeared short-lived after coming ashore in the eastern Rockaways. The second suspected waterspout in Atlantic Beach, however, reportedly caused significant damage and may have persisted longer, according to preliminary reports and radar evidence.