We've had an interesting summer here in New York State. Tornadoes, up to now, have been rare, but they are becoming more common. When I lived in the tornado belt back in the 1970's and 1980's (Texas, Kansas, Arkansas) I was fortunate enough not to witness one but I came pretty close, close enough that tornado sirens sounded around 3 or 4am and we hid in a bathtub. I also knew at least two people who had survived a tornado when I lived in Kansas.
Well....
Monday, we had a severe thunderstorm with many trees down, especially, it would seem, in the Town of Vestal. Other parts of New York State were not so fortunate, as a tornado was confirmed in downtown Buffalo, New York. You can see a funnel at about 1:39 in this video. Not sure if that funnel was the confirmed tornado.
It's not just this year - there was a confirmed EF-0 tornado in our county on August 5, 2023, exactly one year before.
I took these pictures yesterday along the Vestal Rail Trail, where we exercise walk a couple of times a week. My spouse exercised there yesterday, while I was working, and saw a tree lying on top of a bench. He didn't take a picture but that could have ended tragically for someone if anyone was caught on the trail when the storm started.
In various spots, there was evidence of straight line winds flattening plants along one side of the trail.
Hard to see, but there was a tree down in a backyard along the trail. I took this picture through brush of more storm damage on the same side of the trail as the tree above.
I truly don't understand how anyone can still consider climate change as a myth. I know that people I've spoken to, such as a tree service man and farmers, all agree something is happening and it isn't good.
These aren't the tornadoes those living where I lived years ago have experienced but perhaps it's only a matter of time.
