DOVER — Cleanup crews were working Friday to clear debris and assess damage after a tornado was reported in Delaware’s capital during severe thunderstorms that swept the Northeast this week.
Damage centered along Route 13 in Dover
The National Weather Service said a trained spotter reported a tornado in Dover during Thursday’s storms. Social media photos and video showed the roof of a motel blown off and damage to other structures along Route 13, northeast of downtown.
Officials reported no serious injuries following the storms. Still, city crews and utility workers remained on scene Friday, and police urged motorists to allow extra travel time as cleanup continued.
“There is still debris throughout the city, and crews will be out working on cleanup, repairs, and restoring services. You may encounter blocked lanes, utility crews, emergency personnel, and other delays,”
The statement appeared on the Dover Police Department’s social media channels as officials lifted a previously issued state of emergency Friday morning, allowing residents and businesses to resume normal activities.
Regional impacts: Long Island and beyond
The same storm system also produced a tornado touchdown on Long Island, New York, where the weather service said the twister began as a waterspout over the Atlantic and later moved ashore. Photographs and video from Atlantic Beach showed a large funnel cloud over the water and damage to small buildings at a beach club.
Officials planned for National Weather Service crews to inspect damage in both Dover and on Long Island on Friday to determine the tornadoes’ strengths and paths.
Flood rescues reported across the region
The severe weather brought heavy rains and flash flooding that trapped people in their cars in several jurisdictions. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said first responders rescued motorists who were stranded by floodwaters on Long Island.
New York City Emergency Management reported that flooding forced the closure of part of the Long Island Expressway in Queens in both directions. Social media images showed lines of stalled vehicles as emergency crews moved through the water.
In Jersey City, New Jersey, emergency personnel used small inflatable boats to reach and rescue 69 people whose cars were overtaken by flash floods, Mayor James Solomon said.
What residents should expect
City officials asked residents to exercise patience while cleanup and repair work continues. The police advisory emphasized the possibility of blocked lanes and the presence of emergency and utility crews, recommending extra travel time and caution.
- Crews will continue removing debris and repairing infrastructure in affected areas.
- National Weather Service teams will survey damage to classify tornado intensity and track paths.
- Motorists should expect delays and potential lane closures along Route 13 and other impacted corridors.
| Location | Reported Impacts |
|---|---|
| Dover, Delaware | Motel roof torn off, building damage along Route 13; debris across city; state of emergency lifted |
| Atlantic Beach, Long Island | Waterspout moved ashore; funnel cloud observed; small buildings at a beach club damaged |
| Queens, New York | Portion of Long Island Expressway closed due to flooding |
| Jersey City, New Jersey | 69 people rescued from vehicles overtaken by flash floods |
Weather service crews’ field inspections will inform whether the tornadoes are rated and to what category. Those ratings will help officials and residents understand the storm’s intensity and guide recovery planning.
While there were no reports of serious injuries in Dover, the visual damage and blocked roadways underscore the localized risks posed by strong convective storms, even when large-scale fatalities are avoided. Residents are advised to follow local advisories and stay alert for utility or traffic notifications as restoration work continues.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor official updates from the Dover Police Department and the National Weather Service and will publish new information as it becomes available.
