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The National Weather Service in New York issued a tornado warning for Manhattan.
"The National Weather Service in Upton, NY has issued a tornado warning for southern Westchester County in southeastern New York, Bronx County in Southeastern New York, New York City (Manhattan County) in southeastern New York, northwestern Nassau County in southeastern New York until 3 p.m. ET," the warning on the service's website reads.
"At 2:33 pm EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over East Tremont, moving east at 50 mph," the message states.
The message also states that "flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without a shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."
The message from the National Weather Service cautions the public not to wait to see or hear the tornado, but instead to "take cover now."
There was also a thunderstorm located in Glen Cove, which is in Nassau County, at 2:49 EDT moving at 45 mph.
"This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building," the warning states. It remained in effect until 3 p.m. EDT.
The warning for southeastern New York was later updated to "canceled" at 2:50 p.m. due to the "tornadic thunderstorm" that prompted the National Weather Service to issue the warning moving out of the warned area.
There also issued severe thunderstorm warning for Queens County, Kings County, western Suffolk County, and Nassau County until 3:45 p.m. EDT. The warning was later canceled and downgraded to watch minutes before it was set to expire for Queens and Kings Counties after the storm weakened and moved away from those areas. The severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 5 p.m. EDT.
The severe thunderstorm warning for Suffolk County was extended until 4:30 p.m. EDT.
"At 3:39 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles north of Rocky Point to near Gilgo State Park, moving northeast at 70 mph," the warning states, adding that there may be 60 mph wind gusts and penny sized hail. Residents should expect damage to trees and power lines.
"For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning," the warning states.
Update 4/21/20, 4:02 p.m.: This story was updated to include new information from the National Weather Service.
