Tornadoes pummel New York’s Long Island and Delaware capital

Tornadoes touched down on New York's Long Island and in Dover, Delaware, leaving a trail of destruction and stranding residents amidst severe storms that brought heavy rains and flash flooding to the north-eastern United States.

On Long Island, the Sun & Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach sustained major damage when a tornado struck. At least 50 beach cabanas were destroyed, and one person suffered minor injuries. The club was hosting a party for 200 to 300 people when the storm hit, though many had begun to evacuate. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado sighting, with social media images showing a funnel cloud over the water and damaged buildings.

In Dover, Delaware, a trained spotter also reported a tornado. Social media footage captured the roof of a motel being blown off and damage to buildings along Route 13. The mayor of Dover, Robin Christiansen, announced that a state of emergency was lifted Friday morning, allowing for a return to normal activities. Local police cautioned residents about debris and potential travel delays due to ongoing cleanup and repairs.

The storms caused widespread disruption beyond the tornado touchdowns. In New York City's Queens borough, part of the Long Island Expressway closed in both directions due to flooding, leading to lines of stranded vehicles. Jersey City, New Jersey, saw emergency crews rescue 69 people trapped in cars submerged by flash floods, with inflatable boats used to reach those stranded. Tornadoes are considered relatively rare in the U.S. northeast compared to the country's interior.

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There is still debris throughout the city, and crews will be out working on cleanup, repairs, and restoring services. You may encounter blocked lanes, utility crews, emergency personnel, and other delays.