Two more tornadoes added to New York's record-breaking total

New York’s record-breaking tornado total in 2024 continues to grow, with two more occurring in Western New York during Monday’s storms.

The two additional twisters, one in Grand Island and one in Pembroke, bring the yearly total to 31. The previous record of 25 was set in 1992.

Grand Island tornado

A tornadic waterspout came ashore near West River Road and Third Avenue in the Erie County town of Grand Island at 4:33 p.m. Sept. 9, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. As the EF-0 tornado, the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, made its way southeast it uprooted softwood trees on First Street and Second Avenue on its 1.2-mile path. The only other damage reported was limb damage. The twister reached maximum wind speeds of 85 mph and a maximum width of 75 yards.

Pembroke tornado

A brief, weak tornado touched down near the hamlet of Indian Falls in Genesee County, causing several hardwood and softwood trees to be uprooted and limbs snapped. A home and garage suffered room damage due to falling tree limbs, but no structures exhibited direct wind damage. Many of the trees showed signs of trunk rot. The twister was rated an EF-0, with maximum wind speeds of 75 mph and a path width of 50 yards.

Other September tornadoes

Another tornado, this one in Allegany County, was reported on Sept. 6. An EF-1 tornado uprooted several hardwood and softwood trees along County Route 34 near Burdick Road. It weakened and then reformed, causing minor damage to a home and uprooting more trees near Wells Road in the town of Friendship.

The tornado had maximum winds of 100 mph and traveled 6 miles total, with a maximum path width of 200 yards.

More: NWS confirms EF-1 tornado touched down in upstate NY

There were no September tornadoes in 2023, but in 1992, the year of the previous record, there were four twisters on Sept. 3. Another year of high tornadic activity, 2011, saw three tornadoes in September and its last two twisters on Nov. 14.

— Steve Howe reports on weather, climate and the Great Lakes for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Two more tornadoes added to New York's record-breaking total