Tornadoes and Hail in New York, June 30, 1998

On June 30th, two "waves" of severe weather occurred: the first during the morning and the second during the evening.The first wave included an isolated severe thunderstorm that spawned two weak tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds as it moved across Central Suffolk County.The first tornado (F1) touched down along Lake Shore Road, south of Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma. It downed several large trees and power lines. Trees were blown into houses and caused structural damage. This tornado then lifted and funnel clouds were observed before another touchdown (F0) occurred on the campus of Suffolk Community College in Selden. Numerous trees were uprooted and fell on cars and wires on the campus. More tree damage occurred along Middle Country Road and Mooney Pond Road in Selden.The first wave also included a line of thunderstorms that moved east across Orange County. Thunderstorms produced high winds that downed trees in Goshen and Chester. A funnel cloud was also observed between Goshen and Chester.The second wave included lines of severe thunderstorms that produced high winds, large hail, and frequent lightning. This resulted in widespread damage across the region.In Orange County, high winds downed many trees and power lines. Significant damage to trees and houses occurred in Monroe and Newburgh. High winds also blew a trailer upside down on Bark Lane, off Big Island Road in Florida. Four people were injured and required medical treatment at Arden Hill Hospital. Lightning struck a house in Pine Bush, which ignited a fire and caused structural damage.In Rockland County, high winds downed power lines in New City and trees in Hillcrest and Stony Point. A tree fell into a hospital in Stony Point.In Westchester County, high winds downed trees in Peekskill and Yorktown.In Bronx County, hail damaged windows.In Queens County, high winds downed tree limbs that struck and injured 3 girls. One girl was seriously injured and required surgery.In Nassau County, 0.88-inch diameter hail fell in Jericho and 0.75-inch diameter hail fell in Oyster Bay. High winds downed trees and power lines. In Syosset, high winds blew off a roof from a house.In Suffolk County, an F1 tornado was confirmed in Mt. Sinai. The damage path extended from 114 Hickory Street to the corner of Marcy Drive and Westcliff Drive, then down Marcy Drive and across Chestnut Street. Several large trees were uprooted and damage to house shingles and roofs occurred along the path. Elsewhere in Suffolk County, high winds downed trees and power lines.