Not one, not two, but three tornadoes touched down in Western New York on Thursday.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornadoes after assessing the extensive damage that ripped through parts of Western New York.
The first tornado hit at 12:30 p.m. in Hamburg as an EF2 rating, with top wind speeds reaching 105 mph. At the Hamburg Fairgrounds, dozens of vehicles had their windows blown out from the strong winds. Several structures, including the grand stands, were significantly damaged.
The tornado continued across the Chestnut Ridge Park and the Town of Orchard Park causing more structural and tree damage.
At 12:50 p.m., a second tornado touched down in the Town of Holland. This tornado, an EF1, reached top wind speeds of 95 mph. Several structures were damaged with a significant amount of tree damage, according to the National Weather Service.
Around 1:40 p.m., a third tornado touched down in Allegany County. The National Weather Service measured the tornado as an EF1. Reports show that the tornado that extended from the Town of Allen across the Town of Angelica to the Town of West Almond. Several homes were damaged. A barn was severely damaged.
The Town of Hamburg issued a State of Emergency. About 100 members of the National Guard are helping with the cleanup effort.
Thursday evening, Governor Andrew Cuomo toured the Hamburg Fairgrounds to assess the damage.
"Mother Nature likes to test us, I think. Seven feet of snow was a test. Flash flooding the other week was a test. The tornado's a high level test," Cuomo said.
Additional trucks and crews have been called in to help with power restoration in the effected areas. At the storm's peak, 23,000 customers lost power. Officials expect most people to have power restored by Thursday night, but extra crews are being brought in as a precaution. In addition, Cuomo announced that 200 emergency generators are being made available for people without power who are in precarious situations.
No one died or was seriously injured in either of the tornadoes.
The last time a tornado hit Western New York was in Westfield on November 14, 2011.
