Record-Breaking Tornado Activity Grips New York State
New York State faces an unprecedented tornado crisis as the sixth confirmed twister of 2025 struck Oneida County on September 4. This unusual burst of tornado activity has meteorologists concerned and residents on edge, especially following the devastating June 22 Clark Mills tornado that claimed three lives.
The latest EF-0 rated tornado touched down near Ava in northern Oneida County around 6 PM, packing winds up to 80 mph and carving a destructive path across three miles in just eight minutes. While this twister caused no fatalities, it serves as a stark reminder of New York’s unexpectedly active tornado season.
Ava Tornado: Quick but Destructive
The National Weather Service confirmed that Thursday evening’s tornado began its destructive journey at 5:57 PM EDT. Despite its brief eight-minute duration, the twister left a clear signature of damage across the landscape.
Key details about the Ava tornado:
- Rating: EF-0 (weakest on Enhanced Fujita Scale)
- Wind Speed: Up to 80 mph
- Path Length: 3 miles
- Path Width: 100 yards maximum
- Duration: 8 minutes
- Casualties: None reported
The tornado’s path began southwest of Ava and moved northeast, causing damage that meteorologists described as showing classic convergent patterns. Trees on the south side of the path fell northward, while those on the north side fell southward—a telltale sign of rotational winds.
Damage Assessment Reveals Tornado’s Impact
Storm survey teams from the National Weather Service documented significant property damage along the tornado’s path. The most severe damage occurred in the town of Ava, where witnesses reported seeing fast-moving clouds before hearing wind suddenly intensify and trees begin falling.
Documented Damage Includes:
- A chicken coop lifted and moved several yards from its original location
- A large tree falling on a pig pen
- Multiple trees downed in convergent patterns
- A partly rotten tree falling on a farmhouse
- Scattered debris across residential properties
Remarkably, no homes sustained major structural damage, though several outbuildings were affected. Property owners who witnessed the event described seeing leaves swirling violently before hearing the distinctive sound of snapping trees.
2025: An Unprecedented Tornado Year for New York
This September tornado marks the sixth confirmed twister to hit New York State in 2025—a dramatic increase from the typical annual average. The Empire State usually experiences only one tornado per year, making 2025’s activity extraordinarily unusual.
Complete 2025 New York Tornado Timeline:
1. June 9 – Cattaraugus County
- EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds
- 2.4-mile path through Great Valley
2. June 10 – Clinton County
- EF-0 tornado with 75 mph winds
- Half-mile path near Route 22 in Beekmantown
3. June 22 – Oneida County (Clark Mills)
- EF-1 tornado with 105 mph winds
- Three fatalities: 6-year-old twins Emily and Kenni Bisson, and 50-year-old Shelly Johnson
- 2.43-mile destructive path
4. June 22 – Oneida County (Westmoreland to Clinton)
- EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds
- Nearly 5-mile path of destruction
5. July 7 – Ontario County
- EF-2 tornado with 115 mph winds
- Struck Phelps area
6. September 4 – Oneida County (Ava)
- EF-0 tornado with 80 mph winds
- 3-mile path, 8-minute duration
The Deadly Clark Mills Tornado: A Community Forever Changed
The most devastating tornado of New York’s 2025 season struck Clark Mills in the early morning hours of June 22. This EF-1 twister killed three people, including 6-year-old twins Emily and Kenni Bisson, making it one of the deadliest tornadoes in New York’s recorded history.
The Clark Mills tornado touched down at 3:58 AM, catching residents sleeping and unprepared. Despite weather warnings, the darkness of pre-dawn hours contributed to the tragedy as the tornado struck with devastating precision.
“The ‘girliest tomboys’ you’d ever meet: Twins, 6, killed in tornado found beauty in everything,” described the community’s heartbreak over the loss of the Bisson sisters.
The tornado’s aftermath brought the community together through GoFundMe campaigns that raised over $160,000 to help the affected families rebuild their lives.
Why Is New York Experiencing More Tornadoes?
Meteorologists are studying potential factors behind New York’s unusual tornado activity in 2025. Several theories emerge:
Geographic Factors
Senior Service Hydrologist Jim Brewster from the National Weather Service suggests the Mohawk Valley’s layout and wind patterns may create more atmospheric spin in the lower atmosphere. The valley’s orientation could be channeling air currents in ways that promote tornado formation.
Improved Detection Technology
Modern Doppler radar systems have become significantly more sophisticated, potentially identifying tornadoes that might have gone undetected in previous decades. This technological advancement could partially explain the apparent increase in confirmed tornadoes.
Increased Weather Awareness
Public weather awareness has grown dramatically, with more people able to recognize and report tornado activity. Social media and instant communication help meteorologists verify tornado touchdowns more quickly and accurately.
“We also have people far more weather aware,” Brewster noted, explaining how community reporting aids in tornado confirmation.
Climate Patterns and Seasonal Considerations
The timing of New York’s 2025 tornadoes reveals interesting patterns. Most occurred during late spring and early summer, when atmospheric conditions favor severe weather development. However, the September 4 Ava tornado represents an unusual late-season occurrence.
Weather experts emphasize that while this year shows exceptional activity, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a permanent trend. As one meteorologist stated: “This was a freak chain of events. There’s no way to say the [Mohawk Valley] is going to be hit with a tornado every single year.”
Emergency Preparedness: Lessons from 2025
The tragic losses in Clark Mills and the narrow misses in other locations highlight critical emergency preparedness needs:
Warning System Gaps
Some residents in affected areas reported receiving no emergency alerts before tornadoes struck. This communication gap represents a crucial safety concern that emergency management officials must address.
Nighttime Tornado Risks
The Clark Mills tornado’s pre-dawn timing demonstrates the particular dangers of nighttime severe weather. Sleeping residents have limited ability to receive and respond to warnings, making improved alert systems essential.
Community Response Networks
Oneida County’s response to multiple tornado strikes shows the importance of robust emergency management systems. County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. quickly declared states of emergency and coordinated multi-agency responses.
Building Tornado Resilience in New York
As New York faces this unprecedented tornado activity, communities must adapt their preparedness strategies:
Individual Preparedness Steps:
- Install weather alert apps that can wake you during severe weather
- Identify safe spaces in your home’s lowest level, away from windows
- Develop family emergency plans with meeting points and communication strategies
- Keep emergency supplies including flashlights, batteries, and first aid materials
- Stay weather aware during severe weather seasons
Community Infrastructure:
- Upgrade warning systems to reach all residents effectively
- Improve emergency communication networks for rapid response
- Strengthen building codes in tornado-prone areas
- Enhance emergency response coordination between agencies
The Economic Impact of Tornado Season
New York’s 2025 tornado activity has created significant economic impacts across affected communities:
- Property damage from six separate tornado events
- Power outages affecting tens of thousands of customers
- Business disruptions during recovery periods
- Infrastructure repair costs for roads, utilities, and public facilities
- Agricultural losses from crop and livestock damage
National Grid reported mobilizing over 2,500 workers to restore power following the Clark Mills tornado alone, demonstrating the massive resources required for post-tornado recovery.
Looking Forward: Preparing for Future Seasons
As 2025’s tornado season potentially continues into fall, New York residents must remain vigilant. The September 4 Ava tornado proves that severe weather threats can emerge well beyond traditional spring and early summer peak seasons.
Meteorologists continue monitoring atmospheric patterns for signs of additional severe weather development. While predicting individual tornado events remains challenging, understanding seasonal trends helps communities maintain appropriate readiness levels.
The Human Cost Beyond Statistics
Behind every tornado report lie human stories of loss, survival, and community resilience. The Clark Mills tragedy reminds us that weather disasters affect real families and communities. Six-year-old twins Emily and Kenni Bisson were described as children who “walked through life smiling, dancing, and belly laughs that lasted for days.”
Their loss, along with that of Shelly Johnson—described as someone who “would give you her last dollar if you needed it more”—represents the true cost of severe weather events that extends far beyond property damage statistics.
Call to Action: Community Weather Preparedness
New York’s unprecedented 2025 tornado season demands immediate action from individuals, communities, and emergency management agencies. As climate patterns shift and severe weather events potentially become more frequent, preparedness isn’t optional—it’s essential for protecting lives and property.
Take action today:
- Download weather alert apps and test notification settings
- Review your family emergency plan and practice safety procedures
- Support community preparedness initiatives in your local area
- Stay informed about weather conditions and forecasts
- Help vulnerable neighbors develop emergency preparedness plans
The sixth tornado of 2025 may not be the last. By learning from this unprecedented season and taking proactive preparedness steps, New York communities can better protect themselves against future severe weather threats.
