A tornado warning was issued for parts of Queens and Nassau County Thursday evening as severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain, flooding and reports of possible tornado activity across the New York region.
At the Sun and Surf Beach Club and Silver Point Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, images showed damage following the storm. Emergency response vehicles from Atlantic Beach Rescue and neighboring communities responded as the severe weather moved through the area.
“A tornado touched down in Nassau County minutes ago in Atlantic Beach,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote in a statment. “So far there are no reports of casualties or serious injuries. There is property damage at Silver Point Beach Club and Sun and Surf that is being assessed right now, and a search team has been mobilized to make sure no one is trapped within the cabanas.
Video circulating online also appeared to show a waterspout forming offshore near Atlantic Beach. The National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning for portions of Queens and Nassau County until 7:15 p.m. urging residents to take shelter as the storm moved across Long Island.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Silver Point and Sun and Surf will be temporarily closed until further notice,” Sun and Surf Beach Club posted on Instagram. “We are working with local authorities and assessing the dmage to ensure both clubs are safe before reopening. We will provide updates through our website, email and social media as soon as more information becomes available.”