Tornado Watch And Severe Weather Expected For NYC Tonight - Be Careful Roosevelt Island

Severe weather is expected in NYC through tonight. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10 PM. Get forecast updates: https://t.co/7AegMdYbvP.

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) July 1, 2016

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the New York City area until 10:00 PM on Friday, July 1st, 2016. A Tornado Watch indicates that conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. A tornado has not yet developed or been reported.

Tornadoes can cause flying debris, turn unsecured objects into projectiles, and cause power outages. Therefore, please ensure all items that may be stored outdoors, specifically on terraces and patios, including patio furniture, are secured.

To prepare for power outages, charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies (bottled water, flashlights etc.) and turn refrigerators and freezers to a colder setting.

If you are affected by an outage, turn off all appliances and keep refrigerator/freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage. Do not use generators indoors. If traveling, stay clear of downed power lines.

If anyone using Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) needs immediate assistance or in the event of an emergency, please contact the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 or dial 911.

For real-time weather information, visit the National Weather Service.

Be Advised, New York City Tornado Watch Until 5 PM Tonight - Which Means Roosevelt Island Too

NYC Gov Tweets:

A Tornado Watch is in effect for NYC until 5 PM this evening. Visit http://t.co/RC6VmLSOYX for the latest forecast updates, via @nycoem
— City of New York (@nycgov) October 7, 2013

@mairalg Yes, tornadoes occasionally occur in NYC. The last one on record was in Sept. 2012. http://t.co/1IIgDvOEvn
— NYC OEM (@nycoem) October 7, 2013

According to NYC AccuWeather report:

... There is a chance of a brief spin-up tornado, which could be concealed by rain.

According to 1010 WINS Radio, a crane hoisting a load became disabled the top of a building on West 57th Street, between 6th and 7th avenues in Manhattan Monday midday, Oct. 7, 2013.

There is the potential for high winds in the New York area late Monday afternoon.

The strongest winds and heaviest rain will hit Manhattan from west to east between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Monday. Gusts with the storms could reach between 40 and 60 mph. Prior to the storms winds from the south and southeast will average 12 to 25 mph. As the storms roll through, winds will suddenly shift into the west....

Much of the East Coast (including NYC, Philly, Baltimore, & DC) is under a tornado watch until 5pm tonight. pic.twitter.com/gX9XYLAKfM
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) October 7, 2013

Here's how a couple of Brooklyn guys handled a 2010 Tornado watching from their apartment.



Just be careful today.

Severe Weather Storm Hits New York City Yesterday - No Damage On Roosevelt Island But Funnel Cloud Seen By Resident, Possible Tornado In Brooklyn

You Tube Video of NYC September Tornado Warning

The Wall Street Journal Metropolis Page asks if that was really a tornado that hit New York City yesterday:

While we pick the branches from our stoops and await official ruling from the National Weather Service and the city’s Office of Emergency Management on whether that really was a tornado that caused Thursday night’s storm damage, here’s an overview of the choices they’ll have to make...

I've been out of town the last couple of days so did not know how severe the storm was but became concerned yesterday when I saw these tweets from a Roosevelt Island resident.

Susan S Arcelay Tweeted:

I watched storm approach from E. Rvr & saw 2 small funnel clouds and major rotation-I was relieved it passed so fast!

and:

I'm on Roosevelt Island with views of the E. River staring directly @ manhattan. watched it come over the city with my kids

I asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra if the storm caused any problems for Roosevelt Island. Mr. Guerra replied:

There was nothing to report on yesterday's storm. Roosevelt Island was unaffected.

Here's a video of the possible tornado heading towards Red Hook and Park Slope Brooklyn

You Tube Video From Adrian Mueller / fabrik studios

and another showing what the severe weather was like for a couple of guys watching it from their Brooklyn apartment.

You Tube Video of Brooklyn September 2010 Tornado via Curbed

Here are some pictures of the storm from readers of the NY Times.

UPDATE 7/19/12 - Here's what happened on Roosevelt Island during July 18, 2012 storm.