Tornado in New York, August 8, 1999

A cluster of severe thunderstorms formed north of an approaching strong warm front and moved east-southeast, just north of the front.A severe thunderstorm produced a tornado along the south shore of the North Fork of Suffolk County on Long Island. The tornado touched down and lifted several times along a 4 mile path as it moved east-southeast from just southeast of Mattituck Air Base, across Marratooka Pt., Kimogener Pt. (of New Suffolk), Cutchogue Harbor, Central Nassau Pt., then lifted as it crossed Hog Neck Bay.The National Weather Service Survey showed that the tornado touched down first in southern sections of Mattituck. This was in the backyard area bounded to the west by Marratooka Road, to the north by Center Street, and to the south by Park Ave. Most damage at this location was to trees, where many tops were twisted off and several snapped off at 5 to 15 feet above the ground. This was estimated as F1 damage. The tornado "bounced" and continued east to the dirt road extension of Park Ave., where it lifted the roof off a cottage at #520. The roof of the building detached from the house and was carried about 115 feet to the northeast.The tornado continued east for about 1/2 mile, then touched down again at 10 Kimogenor Point. It ripped off the porch and part of the main roof of the house. It apparently developed a few separate vortices at this location. One twisted a 100 year old metal windmill over high tension power lines and did some significant damage to large trees. Another vortex slammed into the front porch at 2 Kimogenor Point. It ripped off the porch and a large section of the roof of the house. The lone inhabitant said he saw a "wall of water" heading toward his house and instinctively dove into the stone fireplace to protect himself as the storm hit. Winds were estimated over 100 mph over this part of the tornado's path.The tornado continued east along Jackson Ave. causing havoc with many mature trees in the area. The most significant damage occurred in the vicinity of Jackson Ave. and Fifth Street, where winds were estimated from 110 to 120 mph, due to the devastation to many large trees. This was the area where F2 damage was observed. This was also the widest path width, which was estimated at 300 yards.The tornado continued east along Jackson Ave. creating F1 damage then went over Cutchogue Harbor. Eyewitnesses from Nassau Point (Little Hog Neck) said they saw the tornado over the water just east of New Suffolk. They saw several suction vortices rotating around the main funnel. The tornado moved across Nassau Point, in the vicinity of Wunnaweta Pond, where it twisted and sheared off many trees that fell on and damaged houses. It bounced again and hit close to the ground near #6225 and #6325 Nassau Point Road. Many trees fell onto and damaged homes. These backyards were on top of a cliff overlooking Hogs Neck Bay. The tornado lifted before hitting these homes. This was the last indication of tornadic damage.The latest cost estimates of damage from the Southhold Supervisor's Office are in excess of $1 million dollars. One injury occurred as a person was struck by flying debris.