Rare Tornadoes Tear Through Long Island and NYC Area, State of Emergency Declared

PUBLISHED Aug 21, 2026, 4:17 PM ET

A National Weather Service survey confirmed Friday that a tornado struck Atlantic Beach on Long Island Thursday evening, after forming as a waterspout offshore. The tornado reached land between 6:30 and 7 p.m. EDT and damaged the Sun & Surf Beach Club, where about 50 cabanas were affected. One employee suffered a minor injury and declined medical treatment; no serious injuries were reported. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency Thursday night, and the declaration was lifted Friday morning as cleanup began. The NWS said another circulation about a mile east could have produced a second shoreward-moving waterspout, but no associated damage had been reported. Severe thunderstorms also produced flash flooding across the New York metropolitan area, closing portions of the Long Island Expressway and stranding motorists. In Jersey City, emergency crews rescued 69 people from flooded vehicles. Officials continued assessing damage and restoring affected facilities Friday.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 28
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 7
Neutral:: 19

Explain Framing

Left: Coverage emphasized community disruption, flooding, preparedness, and documented storm impacts. Center: Coverage emphasized confirmed tornado evidence, damage assessments, warnings, rescues, and uncertainty. Right: Coverage emphasized dramatic damage footage, rarity, property destruction, and fortunate survival.