Elmira, New York Struck By Tornado
Lived and worked there for several years. Home of some people I care about. Updates are at the top of the piece.
This link may not stay valid since the NWS changes its URL’s for text with every text issued. EF1 tornado confirmed by National Weather Service
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BINGHAMTON, NY HAS CONFIRMED A TORNADO NEAR ELMIRA IN CHEMUNG COUNTY NEW YORK ON JULY 26 2012.
TORNADO TRACKED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM WEST TO EAST. STARTING POINT WAS IN HARRIS HILL MANOR JUST WEST OF ELMIRA. MORE INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED ONCE THE SURVEY TEAM IS BACK IN THE OFFICE.
View Elmira NY tornado damage in a larger map
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Slideshow of damage in Elmira. No addresses given.
Lots of damage around Jones Court apts. West Elmira hit hard.
Trees down on Elmira College campus. Elmira Star Gazette damage pics
@weatherchannelTaken in Elmira Heights New York twitter.com/J_Pizzle47/sta…
— justin schrock (@J_Pizzle47) July 27, 2012
@weatherchannel Tower “down” in Elmira New York twitter.com/J_Pizzle47/sta…
— justin schrock (@J_Pizzle47) July 27, 2012
Reports of damage to Macys at Arnot Mall, and to Elmira Country Club.
Elmira is trashed. Worst I have ever seen. Might be with out power for a few days. Tower over by dunn field is bent in half
WETM:
Grove and Washington – exploded transformer
527 First Street – tree on house
Elm Chevrolet – windows out, damage from falling chimney
Chamberlin Street in Southport
Near the Lantz Hobby Shop on South Main St. near the highway. Courtesy Rene McGrain Hodge
Elmira tornado video from Elmira Star Gazette
The Chemung County Emergency Management Office is reporting a tornado came through the City of Elmira today at approximately 4pm causing significant damage. At this time emergency crews are still assessing the damages and removing downed trees and power lines from the roadways and structures. There are still roads which are impassable throughout the City. Residents are reminded to never go near down trees or power lines.
The City of Elmira is currently under a state of emergency which limits travel in the city to emergency response traffic only. The City is under a curfew this evening from 8pm to 8am tomorrow morning. All residents should stay in their homes.
New York State Electric and Gas has reported 16,740 customers without power in Chemung County. Downed power lines should be reported to NYSEG.
The 911 Communications Center is overwhelmed with calls. Residents should not call 911 unless they have a true emergency. Emergency personnel are asking that people stay off their phones, including cell phones, to free up lines for emergency use. Currently cell service is very spotty within the County.
The Chemung County Department of Public Works is asking that residents do not call their office to report downed trees in the roadway to free up lines for emergencies.
For those residents needing shelter for the evening, the Red Cross has set up a shelter at Elmira Free Academy. The shelter is for individuals whose homes are significantly damaged and they do not feel safe staying in their home. The shelter is not for individuals who merely do not have power. Crews are working to restore power as soon as possible.
Damage photos at WHAM
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2012 at 9:22 pm and is filed under Americas North Shore, Disasters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
