Rare EF-3 Hits New York, Extreme Flooding in Massachusetts

news image
Special Stories
9 Aug 2023 6:25 PM

An EF-3 tornado touched down in northern New York on Monday afternoon, in an area known as the "Tug Hill Plateau". This spot is typically known for huge winter snows, thanks to a small change in elevation that contributes to impressive lake effect snow bands. On Monday afternoon, however, the town of Lewis saw a rare EF-3 tornado, not a snowstorm.

A strong tornado in the Tug Hill Plateau is rare - since 1950 when official tornado reports began, only 3 EF-2 or greater tornadoes have touched down in the area, and none in the month of August. In fact, only 3 EF-3 or greater tornadoes have ever touched down in New York State in the month of August, the last time in 1973 when an EF-4 tornado touched down in the Capital Region before moving into western Massachusetts's. The last time New York saw an EF-3 tornado was in May of 2014.

According to the National Weather Service Office in Buffalo, NY, Monday's tornado was 700 yards wide, and on the ground for an impressive 16 miles before dissipating over the town of Turin. Winds over 140 mph deforested trees, destroyed the water tower in the town of Turin, and overturned ski chairs at local ski resorts.

Two additional tornadoes were recorded in the Northeast with this storm system on Tuesday morning - an EF-1 in Plymouth County near Mattapoisett and on Buzzards Bay and another EF-0 on Cape Cod! Typically Massachusetts sees 1-3 tornadoes every year, most on the weaker side. Cape Cod was hit by a tornado in 2019, that caused damage to a local hotel in Yarmouth.

Tornadoes weren't the only problem - extreme flooding hit southern Massachusetts, completely flooding parking lots in Andover, MA!

All Weather News
More
Heavy Rain Returns to Texas This Weekend

Heavy Rain Returns to Texas This Weekend

It has been over a week since the devastating

13 Jul 2025 9:55 AM
Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

TEXAS - Catastrophic flooding devastated port

13 Jul 2025 9:45 AM
Watching the Gulf and Atlantic for Tropical Development, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

Watching the Gulf and Atlantic for Tropical Development, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

BREAKING: The National Hurricane Center is no

13 Jul 2025 3:00 AM
Heavy Rain, Flooding Threat Returns to Florida

Heavy Rain, Flooding Threat Returns to Florida

Keep the rain boots handy in Florida - heavy

13 Jul 2025 2:50 AM
Building Heat for West Coast Next Week

Building Heat for West Coast Next Week

High pressure is moving off the California co

13 Jul 2025 2:50 AM
Severe Storm Risk Pushes into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley

Severe Storm Risk Pushes into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley

Friday was another busy day with severe weath

12 Jul 2025 8:00 PM
Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Moisture is moving back into the Central and

12 Jul 2025 2:50 AM