Tornadoes, Macroburst Confirmed In Putnam

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes did touch down in Putnam County during Tuesday afternoon's severe storms. During their survey in Putnam and northern Westchester Wednesday, NWS meteorologists also confirmed one macroburst and one microburst.

The National Weather Service office in New York NY has completed a preliminary survey for the area near Patterson in Putnam County New York. The survey is in relation to the severe thunderstorms that moved through the area on May 15 2018.

It has been determined that an EF1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 100 mph moved through a discontinuous path of 75 yards in Patterson, New York.

It has been determined that an EF2 tornado with estimated peak winds of 110 mph moved through a path of 100 yards in Kent, NewYork.

It has been determined that a macroburst with maximum wind speeds of 80-90 mph impacted a swath of about three miles in width and four miles in length in the Cherry Hill area.

For the area near North Salem, Westchester County: It has been determined that a microburst with estimated winds gusting to 80 mph occurred, resulting in approximately 250 yards of downed trees.

A final assessment including results of other surveys being conducted today is expected to be completed and transmitted via a Public Information Statement by 8 pm.

The storm survey information will also be available on our website at http://www.weather.gov

Send us your photos of the storm and its damage to lanning.taliaferro@patch.com

Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather offered some perspective on Facebook: since 1950 there have been just four confirmed tornadoes in Putnam, the last in 1990.

They explained that storm cells that become "supercells" (they have rotation) "can create microbursts that contain winds that can be as damaging as a small tornado but across a larger area. The damage pattern from a microburst is fanned out in multiple directions from a center point where the microburst hit the surface, trees can be sheered off from the tops and roofs can be removed. These storm cells impacted, northern Ulster near Saugerties and also parts of Sullivan County near Livingston Manor and spread into Columbia County as well."

And there was also a confirmed tornado in Sullivan County.

They also wrote a long post Wednesday about the severity as well as the science of the storm cells that came through. It included this paragraph:

So in short, what really matters is that as with any science there is specific titles and causes as there is for damage in a storm, but we must all be humbled by the fact that whether it’s straight line winds or a microburst or a tornado it is all very damaging, very deadly and for anyone who went through it, very scary. We pour our hearts into keeping you all as far ahead of severe weather as possible. It breaks our heart to know that a life was lost in our region yesterday, and our thoughts are with everyone who’s lives and property have been impacted by this event. We also work to educate all of you on all the details of meteorology, because a greater understanding improves our ability to communicate the complexities and the threats involved in it.

SEE:

• Metro-North Limits Wednesday AM Service After Tuesday Storm
• Cuomo Declares States Of Emergency In Several HV Counties
• Tornado Spotted In Hudson Valley Tuesday
• Preliminary Storm Damage Report: National Weather Service
• School Closings, Delays In Storm's Aftermath
• 137,336 Out Of Power Wednesday AM In The Hudson Valley