A severe storm ripped through the Elmira area around 4:15 p.m. today. Emergency crews are responding to numerous calls, including reported fires and downed power lines.

According to the Associated Press, Chemung County emergency officials said a tornado touched down after 4 p.m. in Elmira. They were assessing the situation and did not know if there were any injuries. The National Weather Service issued its first tornado warning at 3:35 p.m. Thursday.

“We’ve had a tornado. It came through the city of Elmira ... right through the middle of the city,” Chemung County Safety Coordinator Kristin Card said about an hour after the tornado was reported.

She said the agency did not yet know the extent of the damage.

The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services reports 18,475 power outages statewide, largely concentrated in the Chemung County. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that utilities are deploying crews from Western New York and Rochester to assist with restoration.

A fire department staging area for departments outside Elmira gathered at Weis Markets parking lot at 2nd and North Main street.

A cacophony of flashing lights were visible as trucks cued up to get assignments.

Fire departments responded from as far away as Savona and Bath in Steuben County, west of Elmira.

"This is a staging area. We get our assignments and locations to either relieve an Elmira crew or respond to an emergency," said Savona First Assistant Fire Chief Carl Overhiser.

Tonya Place of Esty Street on Elmira's South Side watched the trucks from across the street at Light's Bakery. "It's amazing to see all of them here to help. I am so proud of them."

She lost power at her house after a tree fell on a neighbor's house and garage collapsed at a neighbor's house.

Evelyn Green of 705 Lake St. stood on her porch about 5 p.m. as her partner Ronnie Clark and another man directed traffic at 5th and Lake streets. She received a text alert on her phone about a tornado around 4 p.m. Shortly after, "the porch caved in when the storm came in," she said.

Her backyard was littered with tree limbs and her Chevy and Chrysler Country Van were struck by trees in the driveway. She was at home with two daughters and her mother who was visiting from South Carolina.

"It's just shocking," said Green, of the damage.

Down the block from her home, trees littered the grounds of Ernie Davis Middle School but it did not appear as if the school had any damage.

Firefighters everywhere are asking residents to stay in their homes.

Earth Changes Media


Mitch Battros | 



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