PNSOKX

NOUS41 KOKX 212255 PNSOKX CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179- 221100- Public Information Statement National Weather Service New York NY 655 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 ...NWS Damage Survey for 08/20/2026 Tornado Event... ...EF-1 Tornado confirmed at Atlantic Beach in southern Nassau County... Rating: EF-1 Estimated Peak Wind: 97 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.36 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: August 20 2026 Start Time: 647pm EDT Start Location: Atlantic Beach, Nassau County, NY Start Lat/Lon: 40.5877 / -73.7520 End Date: August 20 2026 End Time: 650pm EDT End Location: Atlantic Beach, Nassau County, NY End Lat/Lon: 40.5847 / -73.7457 The National Weather Service survey team in coordination with federal, state and local public safety officials confirmed an EF1 tornado producing a narrow swath of estimated wind gusts of 65 to 97 mph across the far western end of Atlantic Beach between 647pm and 650pm on August 20, 2026. These winds resulted in an approximately 0.36 miles long by 100 yard wide path of moderate to major damage to nearly 50 beach bungalows and storage units and adjacent decking and railing, as well as window damage to nearly 30 cars, and destruction of 30 yards of sand fencing. Based on ground and drone survey, radar data, eyewitness reports, and videos/photos received we are able to confirm that an eastward moving waterspout likely paralleled the far southeastern beachfront of the Rockaways (east of Beach 59th street) before moving east-southeast over the entrance of East Rockaway Inlet towards the far western shoreline of Atlantic Beach. The waterspout came onshore as a tornado near the parking lot on the north side of the Sun and Surf Beach Club around 647pm EDT. The tornado demolished a 30 yd length of sand fence to the northwest of the parking lot adjacent to East Rockaway Inlet, before shattering the rear and north facing windows of nearly 30 cars in the parking lot. East southeast winds were estimated between 70 and 80 mph in this area. The tornado then continued east southeast across the Sun and Surf beach club, with complete roof damage, partial to locally complete wall damage, and adjacent deck and railing damage to 25 to 30 beach bungalows. The greatest wind damage was noted on the south and west side of the bungalows on 3 easternmost rows of bungalows, consistent with a convergent wind towards the east southeastward moving tornado. This was the area of most severe damage, with winds in this area estimated to be 85 to 97 mph. Additional light to moderate cabana and storage unit damage was noted up to 200 ft to the northwest of this primary damage swath. The tornado likely continued southeast across the open beach front, before moving back over the water and dissipating by around 650pm. This motion was consistent with radar and webcam analysis. The National Weather Service would like to thank the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency - Region 2, New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services - Long Island Region, New York State Police, Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, New York City Emergency Management, Atlantic Beach lifeguards, broadcast media, and spotters who shared video, photographic evidence, and the general public who shared reports through social media, in assisting the survey and formulating this preliminary damage report. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0.....65 to 85 mph EF1.....86 to 110 mph EF2.....111 to 135 mph EF3.....136 to 165 mph EF4.....166 to 200 mph EF5.....>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$