A surprise EF-1 tornado with winds reaching up to 90 mph tore through downtown Buffalo on Monday afternoon causing significant damage to buildings, homes, vehicles, trees and more. The tornado, which occurred less than half a mile from City Hall, resulted in the closure of several residential streets but fortunately did not cause any reported injuries.
Videos and images shared on social media depicted a funnel cloud moving through the Lower West Side and downtown area just before 1pm. The National Weather Service (NWS) officially confirmed the tornado approximately two-and-a-half hours later. According to the NWS survey team, the tornado originated at the shore of the Niagara River near the south end of LaSalle Park and the I-190/Niagara Street interchange. It then traveled inland for 1.4 miles and expanded to a width of 300 yards as it crossed Niagara Street and the Theatre District.
The tornado's path concluded at the intersection of Tupper and Oak streets near the Rt. 33 off-ramp where two cars were overturned and minor roof damage was observed. Several structures were affected by the tornado.
The Ellicott Center nursing facility on Carolina Street sustained damage, City Hall and Hutchinson Central Technical High School. Additionally, a three-story building on Niagara Street had its roof blown off, with the roof landing nearly two blocks away. This is in addition to flipped vehicles, torn trees, down power lines and residential home damage.
Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo reported that a handful of other buildings on Niagara Street suffered damage as well. City officials noted that the tornado caused "significant tree damage," with approximately 50 trees affected and around 25 requiring removal. Efforts to clear trees and debris from roadways have already commenced and tree clearing operations are continuing.
Although thunderstorms with the potential for hail and high winds were forecasted for Monday, a Tornado Warning was not issued. This tornado adds to a period of active severe weather in Western New York, as last month saw four tornadoes touch down on the same day when the remnants of Hurricane Beryl passed through the region.
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