(WKBW-TV) BUFFALO, NY — The National Weather Service office in Buffalo, which sends out a team of meteorologists to perform site surveys after a tornado is suspected to have hit an area, has confirmed that at least four separate tornadoes touched down in Western New York on Wednesday.
These were the first tornadoes to have touched down in Western New York in two years.
A total of 42 tornado warnings were issued by National Weather Service offices across New York state, as the remnants of what was once Hurricane Beryl, made their approach. At least seven tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down statewide, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.
The strongest tornado that touched down was an EF-1 in Chautauqua County, carving a three-mile, 150-yard path from Arkwright to Hanover. It produced substantial roofing damage, with multiple structures experiencing complete roofing failure. An entire grove of hardwood trees was either uprooted or snapped off fully.
Some of the most significant damage came at a home on Henry Road in the Town of Arkwright.
Brandon Mead captured dramatic video as the suspected tornado ripped off the roof of his parent's home and flattened a nearby barn on the property.
There was also another EF-1 tornado in the Town of Aurora near West Falls. It began at 12:59 p.m. and ended in the Town of Aurora near Griffins Mills at 1:04 p.m. The estimated peak wind was 110 MPH. The path length was 1.5 miles and the path width was 400 yards.
7 News was in West Falls and spoke to neighbors who reacted to the wild weather day.
The other tornadoes were EF-0 tornadoes recorded in the Town of Eden, in Erie County, and in Genesee County, in Darien and Alexander. Estimated peak wind gusts, based on the damage survey, were on the order of 75 mph for the Genesee County tornado, and 85 mph for the Eden storm.
Mammoser Farms in Eden suffered significant damage again on Wednesday. It was also damaged during Snowvember in 2014.
"We've bounced back before, this time's gonna be more difficult, but we'll make it happen somehow," said David.
Tornadoes are no stranger to Western New York. According to data from the National Weather Service, Chautauqua County statistically sees the highest number of tornadoes in Western New York, with Erie County receiving the second highest.
