LI Shopping Center Damaged By 'Fast-Moving Thunderstorm'

SHIRLEY, NY — As the cell phones of servers inside Chipotle in Shirley started blasting notifications about a tornado warning in effect until 4:30 p.m. for the tri-hamlet area on Saturday, some questioned whether it was possible given the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

"All of us got the alarm about the tornado warning, so all of our phones went off the same time. We were like, 'Oh, what if we see a tornado?'" said one employee, adding, "because there aren't tornados on Long Island because we are so close to the water. And then, we heard the wind and the lights started flickering."

The chain's manager went to the front door to hold it it shut because there have been issues in the past with it opening, as employees stayed in the back of the establishment — away from the large glass windows that cover the east side and the front of the store, according to the employee.

After the wind died down the employees went outside to view the damage.

As it turned out, the awning above the store, as well as two others, had been destroyed in what some are referring to as a possible tornado that touched down in Suffolk County. The store's sign was reported down just before 4 p.m., a Suffolk County police spokeswoman said.

The fast-moving thunderstorm toppled trees, caused power outages, and had people hunkering down inside their homes after tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service.

The awning appeared to have been hit by something, as it was ripped from the side of the building above the chain store, as well as an H&R Block next door, and Gerardo's Pizzeria two doors down. Part of the awning hung over the sidewalk in front of Chipotle, while the rest laid in a crumpled heap in the parking lot.

Two cars parked nearby were also damaged. One car belonging to a customer had damage consistent with a crash and its trunk was flung open, while the other car belonging to an employee had a window blown out that was covered with a trash bag to protect against the rain.

The employees had dragged "the metal in from the street" so that emergency services could get through, an employee said.

In a statement to Patch, a Chipotle spokeswoman said the location "endured damages from a severe storm."

"All of our employees and guests were unharmed, and the location will remain temporarily closed until further notice," the statement read.

Firefighters from the Mastic Fire Department and Suffolk police had the area cordoned off with yellow caution tape as they secured the property and checked for loose wires.

As news of the damage spread, the sight of the two popular eateries drew bystanders who drove by in their cars and some got out to snap photos for social media. Others gathered by the shopping center's employees as they waited for the all-clear to go back inside the store and asked them about their experiences.

"It's crazy; isn't it?" asked one man who snapped a photo with his cellphone.

In a post to Facebook, the owners of Gerardo's told followers the pizzeria would be closed due to "safety concerns" and vowed to keep them informed.

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but the safety of our customers and employees is of the utmost importance to our values," the post read.

A tree on a patch of grass at the corner of Montauk Highway and William Floyd Parkway was split in the storm.

It was pretty much business as usual as the grocery store's customers continued to shop by accessing an entrance on the western portion of the shopping center's property. But a tree behind the area had fallen and blocked an alleyway that is used for deliveries to the store.

Elsewhere in the area, there were some downed trees as well as debris, like political campaign signs, strewn on Montauk Highway and William Floyd Parkway. Loose wires hung from traffic lights, one of them so low that it was skimming the tops of cars as they passed in a lane near the railroad crossing.

Suffolk police said there were calls all across the county for downed trees and wires. At nearby Brookhaven Calabro Air Port, which is just down the road from the shopping center, several planes were damaged.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.