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Westchester Tornado of July 12, 2006

F2 tornado
An area where hundreds of trees were blown over.
Max. rating	F2 tornado
Fatalities	6 Injuries
Damage	$12.1 million
Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The Westchester Tornado was an unusual F2 tornado that touched down in Rockland New York on July 12, 2006. The tornado tracked for 13 miles (20.9 km) into southwestern Connecticut during a 33 minute span through two states. The tornado touched down at 3:30 p.m. EDT (19:30 UTC) on the shore of the Hudson River before becoming a waterspout. It tracked 3 mi (4.8 km) across the river before moving back over land. Coming ashore, the tornado struck the town Sleepy Hollow at F1 intensity. After passing through the town, it intensified into an F2 tornado and grew to almost a quarter mile in diameter. The tornado continued through the county causing damage to numerous structures along the way until it crossed into Connecticut at 4:01 p.m. EDT (20:01 UTC). Not long after entering the state, it lifted near the town of Greenwich at 4:03 p.m. EDT (20:03 UTC).

Meteorological synopsis

On July 12, a supercell thunderstorm developed over eastern New Jersey in association with a surface low-pressure area in southwestern Ontario. Daytime heating in the Tri-State Region led to moderate instability, a key factor in the development of showers and thunderstorms. With conditions favorable for the development of a tornado, the Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch was issued at 12:40 p.m. EDT (16:40 UTC). At around 1:05 p.m. EDT (17:05 UTC), a thunderstorm produced winds up to 60 mph (95 km/h) in Warren County, which snapped tree limbs and damaged power lines. A stronger thunderstorm developed around 2 p.m. EDT (18:00 UTC) and produced a funnel cloud near Carlstadt at around 2:45 p.m. EDT (18:45 UTC), no damage was associated with the funnel. That same storm became stronger and developed into a supercell thunderstorm as it crossed into New York. At around 3:30 p.m. EDT (19:30 UTC), an F1 tornado touched down near Grand View-on-Hudson along the Hudson River in Rockland County. The 100 yard (91 m) wide tornado touched down on a dock before becoming a waterspout as it took a 3 miles (4.8 km) path across the river. The tornado passed near the Tappen Zee Bridge before crossing into Westchester County.

The tornado hit the town of Sleepy Hollow, New York around 3:37 p.m. EDT (19:37 UTC), two minutes later, a 58 mph (93 km/h) wind gust was reported along the periphery of the tornado. As the tornado neared New York State Route 9A, it intensified into an F2 tornado, packing winds up to 157 mph (253 km/h), and struck the California Closet Warehouse. At this time, the tornado was estimated to be 300 yd (274 m) wide and was the strongest tornado ever recorded in Westchester County. Shortly after, the tornado weakened back to F1 intensity. Minor damage was reported through the Kensico Reservoir in Valhalla as the tornado neared the New York/Connecticut border. The track length through Westchester County was measured at around 8 mi (12.8 km). After crossing the border into Fairfield County, Connecticut, the tornado weakened further before lifting at 4:03 p.m. EDT (20:03 UTC) in Greenwich after traveling 2 mi (3.2 km) in Connecticut. Another brief touchdown may have occurred shortly after near the Merritt Parkway. The tornado tracked across a total of 13 mi (20.9 km) through two states over a period over 33 minutes.

Impact

The tornado took a clear path through Rockland, Westchester, and Fairfield counties, downing or uprooting thousands of trees, and damaging several structures, including significant structural damage to the California Closest Warehouse. Six minor injuries were also reported due to the tornado. In all, the tornado caused $12.1 million (2006 USD; $12.9 million 2008 USD).

Minor damage was reported in Rockland County. Only one structure, a dock, and one boat were damaged by the tornado.

After crossing the Hudson River, the tornado entered Westchester County, where the worst of the damage took place. The tornado first struck the town of Sleepy Hollow, damaging roofs and tearing the siding off of numerous homes and businesses. Afterwards, the town of Pocantico Hills was struck as the tornado intensified to F2 intensity. Several trees were uprooted and two barns were destroyed. The California Closet Warehouse suffered severe structural damage, having two two-story concrete wall being destroyed. Moving to the east-northeast, the tornado struck the towns of Mount Pleasant and Hawthorne, damaging numerous trees and causing minor structural damage. After passing by the Kensico Reservoir in Valhalla, the tornado crossed into Connecticut. In all, six people sustained minor injuries and damages amounted to $10.1 million (2006 USD).

The weakening tornado ended its life in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Thousands of trees were either uprooted or snapped along the 2 mi (3.2 km) path through the state. Minor damage was also reported to several structures. The tornado left no injuries but caused $2 million (2006 USD) in damages.

Aftermath

See also

• List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
• Tornadoes of 2006

References

1. Thompson (2006-07-12). "Severe Weather Watch #593 (Tornado Watch)". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 2008-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. Stuart Hinson (2006). "July 12, Weather Event #625642 (Thunderstorm Wind)". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
3. Stuart Hinson (2006). "July 12, Weather Event #625643 (Funnel Cloud)". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
4. Stuart Hinson (2006). "July 12, Weather Event #626587 (Tornado)". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
5. ^ Stuart Hinson (2006). "July 12, Weather Event #626588 (Tornado)". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
6. Jim Fitzgerald (2006-07-14). "Weather Service confirms F-2 tornado roared through N.Y., Conn. on Wednesday". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
7. ^ Stuart Hinson (2006). "July 12, Weather Event #606978 (Tornado)". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
8. ^ "Summary of Tornado". National Weather Service in Upton, New York. 2006-7-14. Retrieved 2008-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• Doppler Radar image of the tornadic supercell nearing Tarrytown
• Video of the tornado damage in Westchester

Category:F2 tornadoes Category:New York tornadoes Category:Connecticut tornadoes Category:Tornadoes of 2006