Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Possible Long Island tornado damages beach club as Nassau County declares state of emergency

nbcnewyork.com · 5h · first reportShare

An apparent waterspout off the South Shore of Long Island that may have become a tornado on land led to damage and destruction at a nearby beach club, as powerful storms slammed the area Thursday evening. The tornadic waterspout was spotted off Atlantic Beach in Nassau County, just across the Reynolds Channel from Far Rockaway, Queens. It came about the same time a tornado warning had been issued for the area, from 6:45 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. Video showed the waterspout just offshore, heading toward land. The Inwood Fire Department was called about severe damage at the Sun and Surf Beach Club, according to the Nassau County fire marshal. Parts of the beach club were torn to shreds, with 30 cabanas damaged or destroyed as a result of the powerful winds, officials said. There was one reported injury to a worker, who refused medical attention, the fire marshal said. No other injuries were reported. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency as a result of the damag