Three Tornadoes Confirmed in Western New York After Severe Storms

Key points

• The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes in Genesee, Orleans, and Niagara counties.
• A supercell spawned a tornado near East Shelby, toppling trees and causing minor home damage.
• Over 38,000 customers lost power at one point across Western New York and the Finger Lakes.
• National Grid restored power to 92% of its customers, with over 10,000 still without power.
• Tornado warnings were issued for Monroe, Genesee, Orleans, Steuben, Seneca, and Livingston counties.

Background

This event follows a pattern of severe weather in the region, including two confirmed tornadoes in the Finger Lakes area in late June. New York State has recorded 625 tornadoes since 1748, with the majority being weak EF0s and EF1s.

How outlets are covering it

WHAM and WHEC.com both report on the confirmed tornadoes and the ongoing cleanup efforts. WHEC.com provides more detail on the power outages and the NWS survey of potential tornadoes in Shelby and Byron. Yahoo and WSTM focus on the broader storm damage in the region, including flooding and power outages.

Why it matters

The confirmation of three tornadoes highlights the ongoing threat of severe weather in Western New York. The widespread power outages and damage underscore the need for preparedness and the importance of utility crews in restoring services.

What to watch

The National Weather Service will survey storm damage in Shelby and Byron to confirm potential tornadoes. Utility crews will continue to work to restore power to the remaining affected customers.