Tornadoes Confirmed in NYC Storm

The National Weather Service is confirming that the storm system that ripped through New York City Thursday spawned two tornadoes and a rare "macroburst," or intense downdraft, reports the New York Post. The first tornado rammed through Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with winds up to 80mph; the second hit Queens with winds of 100mph; the macroburst then howled through Forest Hills at 125mph. The wind tore up some 1,100 trees, and many roofs and vehicles.

"We were extremely fortunate that there were no more fatalities and extremely fortunate that there were no serious injuries," says a spokesman for the National Weather Service; one woman died when a tree smashed her parked car. Some 15,000 people were still without power last night. For more on severe weather, click here. (More New York City stories.)