Emergency crews continue to clean up after two tornadoes touched down in Western New York Wednesday, as the region is feeling the remnants of what was Hurricane Beryl.
The National Weather Service confirms an EF-1 tornado touched down in the town of Arkwright at 12:06 p.m., whipping through at an estimated peak of 110 mph and ended in the town of Hanover at 12:14 p.m. — a three-mile-long path. An EF-0 tornado touched down in the town of Eden at 12:40 p.m. and ended a little less than a mile still in Eden. Its estimated peak was 85 mph, according to the NWS.
Damage mainly spread throughout northern Chautauqua County and southern Erie County. Trees were uprooted, branches scattered, barns partially collapsed and roofs torn off, with pieces in trees.
Crews with chainsaws worked to remove a large number of trees blocking the intersection of Straight and Zahm roads in Forestville.
Amber Mazany, who has only lived in Forestville a short time, was on her porch when the storm ripped through.
"It was terrifying because I never experienced anything like that before,” she said. “All of a sudden I heard a weird noise behind me and I thought it was like a jet. And it got really loud, so I ran into the house and all of a sudden everything started shaking. I saw a tree fly by my window. I was in the hallway crouched down because the house was shaking. It was over quick. It was so loud and my ears were popping. That was probably the scariest part."
The road has since reopened, but the cleanup for many homeowners is expected to last several days.