ATLANTIC BEACH, N.Y. — The National Weather Service has confirmed that a waterspout moved ashore and became a tornado in Atlantic Beach during Thursday evening’s severe storms, damaging beach structures and triggering a major emergency response along Nassau County’s shoreline.
The confirmation turns what was initially described as a possible waterspout or tornado into an officially documented touchdown. The NWS said radar data, video and photographs, and damage reports near the Sun and Surf Beach Club provided enough evidence to confirm the event.
What the National Weather Service Confirmed
According to the official NWS Public Information Statement, the waterspout likely tracked near the mouth of the East Rockaway Inlet before coming ashore on the far west end of Atlantic Beach between approximately 6:30 and 7 p.m. on August 20.
The agency also detected another circulation roughly one mile farther east that could have produced a second shoreward-moving waterspout near Atlantic Beach and the Five Towns area. At the time of the statement, however, officials had not received damage reports tied to that second circulation.
Dozens of Cabanas Damaged
Officials reported extensive damage at the Sun and Surf Beach Club, where dozens of cabanas were damaged or destroyed. Reports varied as the assessment continued, with early counts exceeding 30 and later fire-department estimates approaching 50.
One club employee suffered a minor head injury and declined medical treatment. No deaths or serious injuries were reported, despite more than 100 people being at the club when the storm struck.
Nassau County declared a state of emergency after the storm. The emergency was lifted Friday morning, but cleanup and damage assessment continued. The Sun and Surf and Silver Point beach clubs were expected to remain temporarily closed.
Watch: Damage at the Atlantic Beach Club
Official news footage published by CBS New York. The video was produced while the event was still being described as a possible tornado; the NWS later confirmed the touchdown.
Why the Confirmation Matters
A waterspout is a rotating column of air over water. Once it moves onto land, it is classified as a tornado. CBS New York reported that this was Nassau County’s first confirmed tornado since 2021.
The tornado’s final EF rating, path length and estimated maximum wind speed had not been released with the initial confirmation. Those details require a completed damage survey, so any strength assigned before the NWS releases its findings would be premature.
The storm also produced serious flooding across the region. Motorists were rescued from flooded vehicles, roads were closed and downed trees and power lines created additional hazards.
What Residents Should Do Now
- Stay away from damaged cabanas, unstable structures and downed wires.
- Keep original photos or video with the exact time and location recorded.
- Report storm damage through local emergency-management channels.
- Do not enter restricted cleanup areas simply to record footage.
Read additional reporting from CBS New York, NBC New York and The Associated Press.
The Streamline will update this article when the National Weather Service releases the tornado’s final rating, path and wind estimate.
Were you in Atlantic Beach, the Five Towns or the Rockaways during the storm? Send original photos or video with the exact time and location—but record only from a safe place.
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