PNSOKX

NOUS41 KOKX 211220 PNSOKX CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179- 220030- Public Information Statement National Weather Service New York NY 820 AM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 ...Tornado confirmed at Atlantic Beach in southern Nassau County... The National Weather Service New York, NY office along with emergency management partners are continuing to review damage, ground truth, and radar data from one to possibly two waterspouts that approached the southern shoreline of the far eastern Rockaways and Atlantic Beach area in southeastern Queens and southwestern Nassau counties. Based on radar and videos/photos received we are able to confirm that a waterspout likely paralleled the far southeastern portion of the Rockaway near the mouth of the East Rockaway Inlet and came onshore as a tornado in the far west end of Atlantic Beach between 6:30 and 7:00 PM on August 20, 2026. Radar data, video of the waterspout coming onshore, and damage reports in the vicinity of the Sun and Surf Beach club in Atlantic Beach allow for confirmation of a tornadic touchdown in this area. Based on radar data, there was another circulation about one mile farther east, that could have spawned a shoreward moving waterspout in the Atlantic beach and Five Towns area of far southwestern Nassau County. No damage reports have come in, as of yet. We will continue to investigate incoming damage reports with our emergency management partners, and provide more information on the confirmed tornado and cause of any additional damage paths later today. $$