First Tornado in 5 Years Touches Down in Nassau County, Long Island
First Tornado in 5 Years Touches Down in Nassau County, Long Island
US · Published Aug 21, 2026
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Nassau County, Long Island, on Thursday evening, marking the first such event in five years.
The tornado, which originated as a tornadic waterspout, caused damage to the Sun and Surf Beach Club and the nearby Silver Point Beach Club in Atlantic Beach between 6:30 p.m.

Impact & Risks

The tornado caused damage to two beach clubs in Atlantic Beach, with visible evidence of a clear funnel touching down. While the tornado lasted only a few moments, it produced enough force to damage structures and vegetation in the area. Tornadoes on Long Island are typically weaker, with most falling under the EF-0 or EF-1 category, which corresponds to wind speeds of 65-110 mph (104-177 km/h). The National Weather Service will assess the damage to determine the tornado's exact intensity. Historically, tornadoes on Long Island have caused property damage but have not resulted in fatalities over the past 56 years.

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