Officials in Delaware and New York declared states of emergency Thursday evening after severe storms produced confirmed tornadoes and waterspouts, causing significant damage across the region.
Delaware’s capital, Dover, experienced a likely tornado that officials described as generating ‘significant damage,’ including downed trees, flooding, and structural impacts. The Dover Police Department issued a state of emergency just after 6 p.m. ET, urging residents to remain off the roads. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed receipt of videos and a report from a trained spotter indicating a rain-wrapped tornado in the area, though a full damage assessment is pending to determine its severity.
In New York, two waterspouts—tornado-like vortices over water—were reported in Queens and Nassau County between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET. The NOAA is reviewing preliminary damage reports, including impacts to the Atlantic Beach area, where photos showed debris at the Sun and Surf Beach Club. Nassau County also declared a state of emergency. Additionally, flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Queens, and flooded subway stations disrupted evening commutes in Manhattan.
Flight disruptions and road closures were reported, including grounded flights at Philadelphia International Airport and flooding on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, which forced closures in both directions.
Immediate Impact and Official Responses
Delaware
The Dover Police Department stated in a social media post that the tornado caused ‘significant storm damage throughout the city,’ prompting the emergency declaration. Governor John Carney has not yet issued a statewide emergency, but local officials are coordinating assessments. The NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center had previously issued a tornado warning for the Dover area, describing a ‘large and dangerous tornado on the ground.’
New York
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency, citing reports of people trapped in vehicles due to flooding in the south shore and ongoing rescue efforts. The Inwood Fire Department reported that dozens of cabanas were damaged or destroyed at the Sun and Surf Beach Club, though no injuries were reported. The National Weather Service (NWS) had warned of waterspouts in the area but had not immediately confirmed a tornado on land.
Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro stated that state emergency management officials were tracking reports of tornadoes and ‘significant damage’ in the state, though specific locations were not detailed in available reports.
Weather and Forecast Details
The storms were part of a larger system moving through the Northeast, with the NWS warning of flash flooding potential from Virginia to Connecticut. Forecasts indicated rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, with total accumulations of 3 to 7 inches possible in some areas. The Long Island Expressway closure and subway flooding in Manhattan were among the most visible disruptions during the evening rush hour.
Meteorologists, including Bryan Ramsey of the NWS New York, noted that the storm system was moving east offshore and expected to taper within hours. The NOAA emphasized that further assessments would be conducted Friday to confirm the full extent of damage and classify the intensity of the tornadoes.
Ongoing Assessments and Public Safety Measures
Authorities in both states urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed through official channels. The NOAA and local emergency services are continuing to review damage reports, social media footage, and spotter accounts to determine the exact nature and impact of the storms. No fatalities have been reported as of the latest updates, but officials warned that assessments were still in the early stages.