Tornadoes are a force of nature that tore everything apart on their way with just wind power. Southtowns got to experience double such a fury on Thursday at noon. Nothing in the sky or the air was strange enough to predict such a natural event. Despite calm weather conditions, the two tornadoes burst in and wreaked havoc in about 20 seconds.
The Erie County Fair Is Still on Schedule Despite Damaged Suffered
Locals in the region of Western New York recounted what they experienced while still being amazed at the natural event they had witnessed. They remember how the windows started to cast shadows all of a sudden. Once they looked outside, they were not able to distinguish anything through the white murkiness. Immediately, the houses started to tremble as if there was an earthquake. Therefore, many locals began heading for the basement to stay away from the range of the natural phenomena.
However, before all people managed to evacuate, the weather came back to normal, and everything was calm again. Unfortunately, even though the two tornadoes lasted under a minute, it was enough time to leave some degree of destruction behind them.
At the Hamburg Fairgrounds, one of the whirlwinds devastated the location of the upcoming Erie County Fair. With just 20 days left to mend the damages, organizers are still going ahead with their festival. The car windows were busted while the picnic tables were scattered around the area.
Governor Cuomo Claimed that Property Owners Might Get Financial Support for the Damages the Two Tornadoes Did
At 7 p.m., Governor Andrew Cuomo visited the fairgrounds to announce the crowd that they would receive help. Around 100 members of the National Guard arrived at the scene to support the relief efforts. The Governor also claimed that they are currently assessing the aftermath. Based on these records, property owners affected by the storm could receive financial aid.
“If it hits a minimum threshold then the state will step in.”
The first tornado appeared at around 12:30 p.m. and followed a path of 5 miles long and 700 feet wide from Hamburg to Orchard Park. The core of the storm measured 105 mph. The second natural phenomenon struck at 12:50 p.m. with a 2 ½ mile long path which was 500 feet wide. The top wind was at 95 mph.
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