EF-1 tornado hit downtown Buffalo, NWS confirms

Nick Veronica

August 6, 2024 at 2:31 AM·2 min read

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – An EF-1 tornado with winds up to 90 mph hit downtown Buffalo Monday afternoon less than half a mile from City Hall, damaging building and trees and causing the closure of several residential streets – without resulting in any reported injuries.

Videos and images posted on social media — as well as video captured by News 4’s Tower Cam — showed a funnel cloud blowing through a portion of the City’s Lower West Side and downtown area just before 1 p.m. The National Weather Service officially confirmed the surprise tornado about two-and-a-half hours later.

The NWS survey team said the tornado began at the shore of the Niagara River near the south end of LaSalle Park and the I-190/Niagara Street interchange. It continued inland for 1.4 miles, stretching to a width of 300 yards as it moved across Niagara Street and the Theatre District. The final damage was seen at the intersection of Tupper and Oak streets near the Rt. 33 off-ramp, where two cars were overturned and minor roof damage was visible.

The Ellicott Center nursing facility on Carolina Street sustained damage in the storm, and staff said 24 of 120 residents were safely relocated within the confines of the facility. City Hall and Hutchinson Central Technical High School also had minor damage from the storm.

The roof was blown off of a three-story building on Niagara Street. According to Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo, the roof landed near 62 and 66 Whitney Place, almost two blocks away.

On Tuesday, Mayor Byron Brown confirmed that four buildings sustained over $2.5 million in damage altogether. As their investigation continues, that number is expected to increase, he said.

Tornado road closures

Residents are urged to avoid any downed power lines they encounter. Any intersection where a traffic light is out should be treated as a four-way stop sign.

City officials said the tornado resulted in “significant tree damage.” 50 trees were affected and around 25 had to be taken down. Removing trees and debris from the roadways has already been underway. Tree clearing is expected to continue Tuesday.

Thunderstorms with possible hail and high winds were in the forecast Monday, but a Tornado Warning was never issued.

Our Tower Cam captured a potential funnel cloud in the area at approximately 12:50 p.m.

City residents who believe their home sustained damage and need assistance should call 311.

Monday’s tornado continues a busy period for severe weather in Western New York. Last month, four tornadoes touched down on the same day as the remnant storms of Hurricane Beryl passed through the region.