Phelps, N.Y. – An EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 115 mph tore through the Phelps area Monday evening, cutting a 1.7-mile path across Ontario County farmland and startling residents with sudden, severe winds.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, the tornado touched down at 6:27 p.m. EDT near Melvin Hill, tracking east toward Fort Hill and lifting at 6:37 p.m. The storm carved a 300-yard-wide swath, snapping trees and damaging outbuildings, but no injuries or deaths have been reported.
Emergency management officials in Phelps and surrounding communities spent Tuesday assessing damage and clearing debris from rural roads. Power outages and scattered tree limbs have been reported along the tornado’s track, particularly near Orleans and the outskirts of Phelps Junction. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to avoid downed power lines and watch for crews working to restore utilities. Those in affected areas should keep mobile devices charged and check local alerts for updates.
While tornadoes are rare in upstate New York, this marks the strongest July tornado in Ontario County since 2019. The National Weather Service says additional details will be shared in a Public Information Statement as the survey continues.
Severe weather threats remain low tonight, but officials advise monitoring for additional advisories through Wednesday.
