The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touched down in Atlantic Beach, Nassau County, New York, on Thursday, Aug. 20, marking the first such event in the county since 2021.
Nassau County declared a state of emergency following the storm, which caused extensive damage but no serious injuries.
The NWS New York office stated that radar data, video evidence, and damage reports at the Sun and Surf Beach Club confirmed the tornado’s touchdown between 6:30 and 7 p.m. The storm developed as a waterspout off the coast near the Far Rockaways in Queens before moving ashore. A second waterspout, located about a mile east, remains under investigation but has not been confirmed as a tornado.
Damage and Response
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman reported extensive damage at the Sun and Surf Beach Club, including 50 damaged or destroyed cabanas. The Inwood Fire Department confirmed one minor injury—a club employee with a head injury who refused medical treatment. No other injuries or fatalities were reported.
Blakeman described the tornado’s formation as instantaneous, noting it began over the ocean before striking land. He emphasized that no additional tornadoes were reported in the region during the storm.
Storm Details and Context
The tornado warning was issued for parts of Nassau County from 6:45 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 20. Heavy rainfall accompanied the storm, with nearly 3 inches recorded in parts of Nassau County and significant rainfall across Queens, Westchester, and Rockland counties.
The NWS continues to assess damage and expects to release further findings after completing surveys.
Historical Tornado Activity in New York
New York has recorded more than 500 tornadoes since 1950, most of which were EF0 or EF1 in strength. Notable exceptions include an EF4 tornado in Chenango County in 1985 and a record 33 tornadoes in 2024, including two stronger than EF2. Seven tornadoes were reported in New York in 2025, though details remain incomplete in available reporting.