Severe storms struck parts of Delaware and the New York City area on Thursday evening. A likely tornado caused extensive damage in Dover, while two waterspouts affected areas of Queens and Long Island.
States of Emergency Declared
Officials declared states of emergency in Dover, Delaware’s capital, and Nassau County, New York. The storms led to flooding, travel disruptions, and reports of damage throughout the region.
Damage in Dover After Tornado Alert
A probable tornado in Dover resulted in “significant” damage, according to officials. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported receiving videos and a spotter’s report of a rain-wrapped tornado in Dover. A damage assessment will confirm if the storm qualified as a tornado and its severity level.
City officials announced a state of emergency shortly after 6 p.m. ET, urging residents to remain indoors. The Delaware Police Department stated on Facebook, “We are seeing significant storm damage throughout the city.”
Waterspouts in New York
In New York, NOAA is evaluating damage from two waterspouts that potentially affected parts of the Eastern Rockaways and Atlantic Beach in southern Queens and Nassau Counties from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Preliminary reports indicate damage from the waterspout in Atlantic Beach, with additional information expected Friday. Photos reveal damage at Atlantic City’s Sun and Surf Beach Club. Nassau County also declared a state of emergency on Thursday.
Tornado and flash flood warnings were issued for sections of Queens. Videos on social media showed flooded subway stations in Manhattan as heavy rains impacted the city during the evening commute.
Disrupted Air Travel
Flights were grounded Thursday evening at several airports, including Philadelphia International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport, due to the severe weather. Around 10 p.m. ET, all four airports reported delays of approximately one hour, as per FlightAware. Nationwide, about 6,750 flights were delayed, and close to 850 were canceled late Thursday.
Friday Weather Forecast
A flood watch remains active from Philadelphia to New York City until 2 a.m. Friday. Scattered severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall are expected to continue overnight in the Mid-Atlantic region. According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain will move towards Virginia and the Carolinas on Friday.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins.