Buffalo, New York, was caught off-guard by a small tornado on Monday afternoon that caused significant damage to buildings, flipped cars over, and scattered debris throughout downtown. The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m., with multiple videos capturing the spiraling column as it seemingly moved from Lake Erie into the city.
The sudden appearance of the tornado surprised residents and local authorities alike, prompting a response from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz at a news conference. After assessing the situation, a team from the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado had indeed touched down in Buffalo’s west side.
The impact of this unexpected natural disaster was evident in the photos taken afterward. One image showed a car flipped onto its roof in a parking lot, while others depicted bent street signs and fallen tree limbs obstructing roads and sidewalks across the city. Thankfully, there were no immediate reports of injuries as a result of the tornado.
Buffalo’s nursing facilities and schools were also affected by the storm. A facility for elderly care experienced significant damage and was assessing whether to move its patients as a precautionary measure. Mayor Byron Brown reported that one school sustained damage to several windows, while multiple traffic lights were knocked offline due to the strong winds. Additionally, some cars were overturned throughout the city.
This recent tornado marks the third such event in Erie County within the last month, with others confirmed in the towns of Eden and West Falls just three weeks prior. The recurring occurrence of tornados in this region highlights the importance of staying vigilant and informed about weather conditions, particularly during storm season.
As Buffalo residents continue to assess the damage caused by the small tornado, it serves as a reminder for communities across the country to be prepared for unexpected natural disasters and to take appropriate precautions when severe weather is in the forecast.
