Latest update: Tornado Warning for Suffolk expired at 10 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect for Suffolk until 11:00 p.m.
9:49 p.m. update: Suffolk County is under a tornado warning until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
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Meteorologists said doppler radar picked up a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 14 miles southwest of Gilgo State Park or 10 miles southeast of Long Beach, moving 55 miles per hour.
The warning includes Amityville, Lindenhurst, Babylon, Robert Moses State Park, Captree State Park, Bay Shore, Islip, Sayville, Ronkonkoma, Patchogue, Holbrook, Davis Park and Brentwood.
The safest place to take shelter during a tornado is a basement. Residents can also seek shelter on the lowest floor of a building in an interior hallway or a closet.
The storm has already knocked out power to more than 15,000 customers, according to Long Island Power Authority’s website.
Original story:
Long Island is under a tornado watch Tuesday evening through 11 p.m. as strong thunderstorms bear down on the region.
The National Weather Service expanded the watch, which already covered New York City, parts of Connecticut and New Jersey. Tornadoes previously hit Bohemia last month and NYC on Sept 8.
The storms are forecast to bring torrential downpours, flash flooding, strong winds that may cause power outages along with the possibility of a tornado.
More than 4,000 Long Island Power Authority customers were without electricity after high winds downed trees and power lines Tuesday. Crews were working to restore the power.
The NWS also issued a wind advisory through 6 a.m. Wednesday for the New York metro area, warning that the storm could bring gusts up to 57 mph.
The worst of the storm is expected to roll ashore late Tuesday afternoon into the evening.
Drivers are advised to take caution during the storm. There is also a rip current risk at ocean beaches.
