Seneca County Hit by EF2 and EF1 Tornadoes Wednesday

Fayette, New York – Two powerful tornadoes tore through the heart of Seneca County late Wednesday evening, leaving a trail of destruction that emergency crews continue to assess. The severe weather events, classified as an EF2 in the Town of Fayette and an EF1 in the Waterloo-Seneca Falls area, also brought intense downbursts that compounded the damage to local property and landscape.

According to the National Weather Service Binghamton, the storm systems touched down between 8:21 p.m. and 8:36 p.m. EDT. The Waterloo-Seneca Falls EF1 tornado packed peak winds of 95 mph, traveling a path length of 6.69 miles with a maximum width of 250 yards. Shortly after, the Town of Fayette experienced a stronger EF2 tornado, featuring peak winds of 115 mph and a path length of 7.76 miles, leaving a 200-yard wide imprint of damage.

Evidence of the destruction is visible on Watts Road, where heavy damage occurred at a local farm. Additional impacts include high winds observed between Waterloo and Seneca Falls along US Route 20 and Main Street, alongside clear evidence of damage to agricultural crops in the Town of Fayette. Intense downbursts were also identified on the south sides of these tornado paths.

Seneca County Emergency Management and 911 services provided critical assistance during the extensive survey of the affected areas. Residents are encouraged to remain cautious of ongoing debris removal and structural instability in areas impacted by the high winds. Authorities advise following the official National Weather Service Binghamton website for any further updates regarding public information statements or potential lingering hazardous conditions.