Storms cause flood, tornado warnings in New York City, Tri-State | Live Updates

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Last updated: Friday, August 21, 2026 9:12AM GMT
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NEW YORK (WABC) -- Showers and thunderstorms brought heavy rain, flash flood and tornado warnings to New York City, Long Island and other parts of the Tri-State area on Thursday evening.

Flood and storm watches were allowed to expire, but not before thunderstorms caused havoc across the Tri-State, including Nassau County, where officials say a possible tornado touched down in Atlantic Beach.

The National Weather Service has to survey the area before making any determination.

Meanwhile, other parts of the Tri-State dealt with flooded roads, and an apparent lightning strike may have been blame for an attic fire at a home in Summit, New Jersey.

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Aug 21, 2026, 9:12 AM GMT

NWS to survey Atlantic Beach storm damage after possible tornado

The National Weather Service is expected to survey storm damage in Atlantic Beach Friday morning after a possible tornado tore through the area, leaving the Sun and Surf Beach Club heavily damaged.

More than 30 cabanas that had been occupied by over 100 guests were destroyed at the beach club, and it remains unclear when the property will reopen.

A spinning column of air and water was spotted Thursday evening in both Atlantic Beach and the eastern Rockaways. The NWS is now investigating whether a waterspout moved onto land in Atlantic Beach, which would classify it as a tornado.

Those inside the Sun and Surf described terrifying moments as powerful winds shook the building and sent furniture and debris flying.

"The noise was frightening, you could hear the wind, it was extremely violent," Sun and Surf board member Richard Accarino said.

One person suffered a minor head injury. First responders searched the damaged area Thursday night to make sure no one was trapped.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is expected to hold a news conference at 8 a.m. Friday with an update on the storm damage.

About 2,000 customers on Long Island remained without power early Friday morning

Aug 21, 2026, 2:43 AM GMT

Heavy rain causes problems for some NYC subway service

Heavy rain is causing problems underground for the New York City subway system.

The MTA says C train service is suspended as crews remove water from the tracks near Utica Avenue.

E trains are running with delays in both directions after crews removed water from the tracks near World Trade Center.

There are severe delays for A train service.

There are also lingering delays on the 1, 2, D and F lines.

You can find the latest updates on the MTA's website.

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Aug 21, 2026, 2:43 AM GMT

Drivers deal with flooding on the Long Island Expressway

Drivers had to contend with flooding on the Long Island Expressway at Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens.

Video showed drivers doing what they could to get around the flooding.

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Aug 21, 2026, 2:23 AM GMT

VIDEO: Waterspout forms off South Shore of Long Island

A waterspout appeared to form off of the south shore of Long Island on Thursday.

A waterspout appeared to form off of the south shore of Long Island on Thursday.

In a statement Thursday night, the National Weather Service said they are "reviewing damage, ground truth and radar data from wo waterspouts that may have impacted portions of the eastern Rockaways and Atlantic Beach in southern Queens and Nassau counties."

They said both waterspouts appeared to have come ashore between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Based on radar data and videos/photos they have received so far, the NWS said the first waterspout appears to have been short-lived, coming onshore in the eastern Rockaways.

The second waterspout appeared to have come onshore in Atlantic Beach. The NWS said they received preliminary reports of damage from this and radar evidence that shows it may have survived for longer after coming onshore.