Weather History for August 28

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Western New York Weather History

AUGUST 28

1990

Thunderstorms roared across portions of western New York during the early morning hours. The strong winds, estimated to 75 mph, downed numerous trees and limbs—some with two to three foot diameters. The winds and falling trees downed power lines and widespread power outages were reported leaving over thirteen thousand customers without power. There were numerous reports of damage to homes and automobiles caused by falling trees. Specifically, wind damage was reported in Sherman, Fredonia, Mayville, Town of Niagara, Amherst, Medina and Rushford. On Chautauqua Lake, the storm ripped out docks and overturned boats. In South Dayton, crops were knocked flat to the ground by the heavy rain and strong winds.

Later in the day, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes developed in moist, unstable air ahead of a cold front. The strong thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines throughout the western southern tier and part of the Finger Lakes. Power outages were widespread in some areas. The first tornado occurred in Chautauqua county. Damage was intermittent along an 8-mile long path. The tornado first touched down near Ross Mills where a barn was destroyed. Two horses in the barn were killed. Further east, the tornado destroyed a small shed and peeled portions of an aluminum roof off a tractor storage building. The tornado continued east where the final damage occurred near Kennedy where a mobile home was overturned.

The second tornado touched down at Allegany State Park in the southwest corner of Cattaraugus county. Damage occurred intermittently along a three mile stretch. Because the tornado occurred in a State Park, most damage was to trees however one RV camper was smashed and another moved 100 to 200 feet and overturned. A restroom building also sustained damage as shingles were torn off the roof. Two persons sustained minor injuries at the camp site in Cain Hollow.

1994

Thunderstorms developed in a moist, southwest flow ahead of a cold front. The thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines resulting in power outages scattered across the entire region. One man was injured in Lockport, Niagara County, when he was pinned in his automobile by a falling tree. The thunderstorms spawned three separate tornadoes.

A weak tornado touched down in Lockport in Niagara County. Damage was mainly confined to trees. One house suffered minor roof damage. A fast moving weak tornado produced intermittent damage in Fredonia. Initial touchdown was at the fair grounds were two were injured by flying debris at the Farmer's Fair. Significant tree damage was done in the college area. A house sustained significant damage to its roof and had several windows broken. A weak tornado made a brief touchdown in the northwest corner of the town of Amherst. With the exception of two windows being blown out of a house, damage was confined to trees and shrubs.

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