An EF-1 tornado touched down in Atlantic Beach on Thursday evening, damaging nearly 50 beach bungalows and storage units, the National Weather Service said.
The tornado was confirmed Friday following a damage survey by the National Weather Service in coordination with federal, state and local officials.
The tornado occurred between about 6:47 and 6:50 p.m. Aug. 20 in southern Nassau County. The storm had estimated peak winds of 97 mph.
Tornado damaged beach bungalows, cars
The tornado traveled about 0.36 miles and had a maximum width of 100 yards, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm produced a narrow path of moderate to major damage across the western end of Atlantic Beach. Nearly 50 beach bungalows and storage units sustained damage, along with nearby decks and railings.
Windows on nearly 30 cars were shattered, and about 30 yards of sand fencing was destroyed.
The most severe damage occurred at the Sun and Surf Beach Club, where the National Weather Service estimated winds of 85 to 97 mph. Several bungalows sustained complete roof damage, while others had partial or locally complete wall damage.
No deaths or injuries were reported.
Tornado likely began as waterspout
The National Weather Service said the storm likely began as an eastward-moving waterspout that traveled along the southeastern beachfront of the Rockaways before moving over the East Rockaway Inlet.
The waterspout came ashore as a tornado near the parking lot north of the Sun and Surf Beach Club around 6:47 p.m.
The tornado then moved east-southeast across the beach club before likely crossing the open beachfront and returning over the water. It dissipated around 6:50 p.m.
Radar data, webcam footage, eyewitness accounts and photos and videos submitted to officials helped confirm the tornado and determine its path.
Video: See the tornado
Contributing: New York Connect reporter Alexandra Rivera
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Long Island tornado packed 97 mph winds, damaged beach bungalows. See video
