Strong winds, heavy rain, and funnel clouds have wreaked havoc across parts of western and central New York for the second week in a row. It’s been a wild ride for residents, with multiple tornadoes confirmed across the state.

Let’s dive into the details of the recent storms, focusing on the events that hit Canandaigua and Rome.

Canandaigua: A Tornado’s Whirlwind

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touchdown in Canandaigua, Ontario County, on Monday afternoon. This twister, classified as an EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, packed winds up to 85 mph, thankfully causing minimal damage. The tornado touched down briefly, lasting only two minutes, and travelled just over half a mile.

The tornado left its mark on the area, causing damage to trees. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries or damage to buildings.

Rome: An EF-2 Tornado Strikes

The storm’s fury continued into Tuesday, when an EF-2 tornado ravaged Rome, Oneida County, with winds reaching an alarming 135 mph! The tornado touched down at 3:25 p.m. and remained on the ground for a terrifying 10 minutes, covering over 5 miles.

This powerful tornado left a trail of destruction in its wake, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Two churches suffered damage to their roofs and steeples. Several buildings lost their roofs, and brick and concrete walls crumbled. The force of the wind crushed multiple vehicles and uprooted or snapped hundreds of trees.

The tornado’s path of destruction extended to Griffiss International Airport, where it tore through buildings and caused severe wind gusts.

Assessing the Aftermath: Cleanup and Recovery

The National Weather Service is still assessing the extent of the damage in Rome. The team has confirmed damage consistent with an EF-2 rating, with estimated wind speeds up to 135 mph. A final report on the tornado’s path and the corresponding damage is expected to be released soon.

The storm’s impact has been widespread, with officials declaring a state of emergency for all of New York. The damage is significant, with thousands of residents left without power and many roads closed.

The cleanup process is expected to take weeks. The recovery effort will be a long and challenging one, but with the support of the community and state officials, the impacted areas will rebuild stronger than before.

A State of Emergency and a Community’s Resilience

Following the storm, officials in Rome issued a “no unnecessary travel” order, urging residents to stay safe while cleanup efforts are underway. The storm has left a mark on the community, with many residents describing the scene as a “war zone.”

Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed her support for the impacted communities, vowing to assist in recovery efforts. She has also urged residents to monitor local weather forecasts and be prepared for potential future storms.

The storm’s impact is a reminder of nature’s raw power and the importance of preparedness. The communities affected by these tornadoes will undoubtedly rise above the challenge, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit.