Waterspout seen off shore of Long Island as severe storms tore through Northeast
NWS to survey Atlantic Beach after possible tornado destroys 30+ cabanas at beach club
LONG ISLAND, NY (WPVI) -- A beloved Nassau County beach club was left in shambles after severe storms tore through Long Island Thursday evening, destroying more than 30 cabanas and leaving officials waiting to learn whether a waterspout that moved ashore will officially be classified as a tornado.
More than 100 guests were inside the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach when powerful winds ripped through the property, tearing apart cabanas and sending furniture and debris flying.
The National Weather Service is expected to survey the damage Friday to determine whether a waterspout spotted near Atlantic Beach made landfall as a tornado.
Video captured a spinning column of air and water near Atlantic Beach as storms moved through the area. Another waterspout was reported in the eastern Rockaways.
In a statement Thursday night, the NWS said it was reviewing damage, ground reports and radar data involving two waterspouts that may have affected portions of the eastern Rockaways and Atlantic Beach between 6:30 and 7 p.m.
Preliminary information indicated the first waterspout was short-lived after coming ashore in the eastern Rockaways. The second appeared to move ashore in Atlantic Beach, where the NWS received reports of damage and found radar evidence suggesting it may have remained intact longer after reaching land.
At the Sun and Surf Beach Club, more than 30 occupied cabanas were damaged or destroyed. It remains unclear when the club will be able to reopen.
A board member who was inside the club described terrifying moments as the storm struck.
"The noise was frightening, you could hear the wind, it was extremely violent," Sun and Surf board member Richard Accarino said.
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Accarino said the building began moving and shaking as windows pounded and furniture from the cabanas and deck flew through the air. Those inside ran toward an interior room out of fear that windows or glass doors could shatter.
The Inwood Fire Department received a call for severe wind damage at the club around 7:15 p.m. First responders searched the damaged cabanas to make sure no one was trapped.
One person suffered a minor head injury. No other civilians or first responders were reported injured.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said Thursday night that a tornado had touched down in Atlantic Beach, with damage being assessed at the Sun and Surf and Silver Point beach clubs. However, the National Weather Service had not officially confirmed a tornado as of early Friday morning.
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Blakeman declared a state of emergency and activated Nassau County's Emergency Operations Center following the storms.
Flooding was also reported elsewhere along Nassau County's South Shore, where some motorists became trapped in their vehicles and required assistance.
About 2,000 customers on Long Island remained without power early Friday morning.
Blakeman is expected to hold a news conference at 8 a.m. Friday to provide an update on the storm damage.
