Tornado strikes Atlantic Beach shoreline as Nassau declares state of emergency
No serious injuries reported as beach clubs take heavy damage and roads flood.
A severe weather system hit Atlantic Beach on Thursday evening, bringing a reported tornado touchdown along the oceanfront and heavy rain that flooded streets across the barrier island and parts of the Five Towns. Nassau County declared a state of emergency and activated its Emergency Operations Center. Officials said search-and-rescue units checked damaged structures and no serious injuries or casualties had been found.
Damage was concentrated at beach facilities, especially Silver Point Beach Club and Sun and Surf Beach Club. Cabanas, exterior buildings and recreational grounds took heavy hits. The county said a visible tornado touched down, while weather teams were still reviewing data to formally verify the event. Inland, emergency crews rescued drivers stranded by deep water on Rockaway Turnpike, Peninsula Boulevard and low-lying intersections.
Nassau also set up direct communication with Suffolk County to line up mutual aid if more help is needed across Long Island. Officials urged residents and commuters to stay off flooded roads, avoid downed wires and debris, and watch local advisories as recovery continued into the night. A tornado warning had been issued earlier for areas near Far Rockaway and the Five Towns, according to 5 Towns Central's social media posts.