Historic Tornado Leaves A Path of Destruction in Rome, New York

A tornado wreaked havoc in the city of Rome, New York, on Tuesday, causing extensive damage and leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

The tornado, confirmed by the National Weather Service, tipped over vehicles and uprooted trees at Griffiss Business and Technology Park. Iconic landmarks such as the First Presbyterian Church and the privately-owned St. Mary’s Church, both dating back to the 1800s, suffered severe damages.

Barb Mulvey, a resident of Rome, expressed her heartbreak on social media over the destruction of the historic churches and other structures in the city.

Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the resilience of the community, noting that it was miraculous that there were no fatalities reported in the city of Rome, home to 31,000 residents.

The storm also led to tragedy, with an 82-year-old man losing his life in Canastota, about 30 miles away from Rome, as a result of storm debris.

State officials closed the Cold Brook facility in Herkimer County due to severe storm damage, making the area inaccessible until further notice.

Gov. Kathy Hochul emphasized the need for preparedness as the state braces for more severe weather, with multiple tornadoes confirmed statewide in recent days.

Local authorities in Rome described the aftermath of the tornado as resembling a war zone, with numerous buildings and landmarks suffering extensive damage.

Cleanup efforts are expected to be lengthy, with tens of thousands of residents left without power in Oneida County. National Grid reported over 20,700 customers without power in the county, with a significant portion located in Rome.

The National Weather Service is conducting surveys to assess the damage and determine the strength of the tornado that struck Rome on Tuesday.

The City of Rome and surrounding areas have been placed under a state of emergency and curfew as recovery operations continue in the aftermath of the devastating tornado.