Public Information Statements (NWS BGM)

NOUS41 KBGM 200149
PNSBGM
NYZ056-057-PAZ040-201400-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
949 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

...NWS Damage Survey for July 18, 2026 Tornado Event...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    95 mph
Path Length /statute/:  15.69 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   300 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             07/18/2026
Start Time:             06:12 PM EDT
Start Location:         2 SSW Sanford / Broome County / NY
Start Lat/Lon:          42.0771 / -75.5151

End Date:               07/18/2026
End Time:               06:31 PM EDT
End Location:           1 ENE Hancock / Delaware County / NY
End Lat/Lon:            41.9581 / -75.2615

Survey Summary:
A tornado touched down along Farnham road approximately 3 miles
south-southwest of Sanford at 6:12 PM on July 18th. It caused
sporadic EF-0 damage along Farnham road, mainly consisting of
trees snapped or uprooted. There was minor damage to an old barn
along the road and a gazebo was lifted into a pond. The tornado
strengthened to EF-1 intensity (maximum winds of 95 mph) as it
approached NY State Route 41, snapping and uprooting numerous
trees, and power lines.

The tornado crossed Oquaga Creek and caused more EF-1 level damage
on Farnham Road and Old Plank Road. The damage mainly consisted
of numerous downed trees, including a tree that fell onto a car.
A home was damaged when the metal skirting was blown out from
underneath it on Farnham Road. The tornado continued tracking
southeast over a hill and paralleled Old Plank Road and Old Route
17 where it caused lighter sporadic tree damage at an EF-0 level.
The weak tornado continued south and east, crossing State Route 17
just west of exit 83. It continued south and east, likely causing
sporadic damage as it crossed over the inaccessible Whittacker
Swamp State Forest. There was visible damage of numerous trees
down and snapped along the hillside just west of River Road and
State Highway 17. The weak tornado continued on, to the south and
east causing light damage as it moved through the town of Hale
Eddy, NY. Additional tree damage was noted across the Delaware
River along Penn York Road.

The tornado crossed NY Route 17 again and moved across the town
of Hancock, causing significant tree damage at the Hancock Golf
Course. The tornado then crossed county highway 268 and the East
Branch of the Delaware River. It restrengthened to EF-1 and caused
significant tree damage mainly along the south bank of the river,
along with some damage to out buildings and porches of
residences. The tornado lifted just southeast of Peas Eddy Road as
it moved up the hill.

The same storm later resulted in a strong microburst about a mile
and a half northwest of Rock Valley. This microburst resulted in
extensive tree damage, including numerous snapped and uprooted
trees with a path length of 0.7 miles and path width of 0.3 miles.
The maximum winds were estimated to be 105 mph.

We would like to thank Delaware County Emergency Services and the
Town of Hancock Fire, as well as local residents for their
assistance with this survey.

&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in
NWS Storm Data.

$$

                
            
                                
    
        
    
    
        
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