Wind, rain, and funnel clouds have wreaked havoc across western and central New York for the second consecutive week, most recently affecting Canandaigua in Ontario County and Rome in Oneida County.
In the latest incidents, a tornado touched down in Canandaigua on Monday afternoon and a severe thunderstorm tore through Rome on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Binghamton confirmed Wednesday morning that a tornado touched down in Rome, Oneida County, at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday. An agency team is surveying the damage and will issue a report on Wednesday night detailing the tornado’s path, strength, and duration.
The severe thunderstorms on Tuesday also led to the temporary closure of the Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area in Cold Brook, Herkimer County. State officials reported that roads leading to the facility are badly damaged and impassable, with no announced reopening date.
In response to the destructive weather, New York has declared a state of emergency. Governor Kathy Hochul stated in a news release, “With possible tornado touchdowns across the state, we are standing ready to assist localities however necessary as severe weather continues to move across the state. New Yorkers should monitor their local forecasts and prepare for hazardous travel and other impacts from these storms.”
Governor Hochul is scheduled to address the media at 11:30 a.m. in Rome about the storm damage and cleanup efforts.
Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan, noting the extensive damage, said, “It looks like a war zone. It takes your breath away.” A “no unnecessary travel” order has been issued for Rome and surrounding communities. According to the Weather Service, tornado-force winds hit nearby Griffiss Air Field at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday, with the strongest gust recorded at 79 mph. Cleanup is expected to take weeks, according to Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.
Power outages have also been significant, with more than 20,700 National Grid customers in Oneida County, including half within the City of Rome, left without power after Tuesday’s storm. Statewide, over 75,000 National Grid customers were without power Wednesday morning.
Although no official word confirmed the tornado in Rome as of Wednesday morning, many officials believe that a tornado formed during Tuesday’s thunderstorm. The National Weather Service is expected to make a determination by Wednesday evening.
Trees were uprooted, power lines knocked down, and buildings heavily damaged throughout Rome. Damage included shattered windows, ripped siding, crushed brick walls, and damaged roofs. Several churches lost roofs and steeples, and the well-known mural of a man riding a horse collapsed, leaving only the horse’s feet visible on the crumbled brick wall.
A state of emergency and curfew are in effect for Rome and surrounding communities for at least five days. Damaged city and county offices and courthouses will move services to Utica.
In another incident, a tornado touched down in Virgil, Cortland County, on Monday evening. The EF-0 tornado had winds reaching 80 mph, traveled 7.5 miles, and lasted 12 minutes, causing damage to trees and several homes.
In Canandaigua, an EF-0 tornado touched down at 4:48 p.m. Monday, with peak wind speeds of 75 mph. It was on the ground for two minutes, traveling .7 miles and damaging trees along the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake and at the Canandaigua Country Club. There was also some damage to homes and utility poles along Eastern Boulevard.