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EF2 tornado in Chautauqua County, New York

Tornado July 24, 2010 · Chautauqua County, New York

EF2
Rating
7.6 mi
Path length
150 yd
Path width
$5.0M
Damage as recorded
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated

The path drawn at its surveyed width of 150 yards (0.09 mi) — zoom in and the swath grows to true scale. Other tornadoes recorded nearby that day are shown faint.

What EF2 means. On the Enhanced Fujita scale, EF2 is considerable damage: roofs torn off well-built houses, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, consistent with estimated gusts of 111–135 mph. The rating comes from a survey of the worst damage after the storm, not from a wind measurement, so it says as much about what the tornado hit as about how strong it was.

What the National Weather Service wrote

An NWS ground and aerial survey confirmed an EF2 tornado.

The wider storm

A tornado touched down in the Town of Chautauqua in Chautauqua County at 440 pm EDT. Initial touchdown occurred near the Chautauqua Gorge State Forest. The along the first half of the damage path the primary damage was done to trees. As the tornado neared Mayville substantial structural damage occurred to homes and businesses. Some of the affected streets included: McKay Road, Morris Street, Valley Street, and Erie Street. The tornado then crossed Chautauqua Lake. During the aerial survey debris from the structures could be seen floating in the lake. The tornado continued across the lake into Dewittville. There is caused damage at the Camelot Golf Course. Dozens of golf carts were lost. Structural damage was done to several buildings on the course. Also in Dewittville, the tornado severely damaged three condominium buildings, including 18 condominium units, at the Chautauqua Lake Estates. This was also the final touchdown of the tornado although debris was visible for about another three-quarter mile downstream. A NWS survey concluded an EF2 rating with winds estimated at 125 mph. The county emergency manager estimated damage at $5 million.

Began near Westfield (42.2938, -79.5860).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 254075. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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