2 tornadoes hit NYC as Australia catches fire

Two tornadoes struck the outer edges of New York City on Saturday, hurling debris into the air and knocking out power in an area unaccustomed to the phenomenon.     

No serious injuries were reported when a twister hit a beachfront neighborhood Saturday and a second, stronger tornado followed moments later about 10 miles  (16 kilometers) away.          

Videos taken by bystanders showed a funnel sucking up water, then sand, and then small pieces of buildings as the first tornado moved through the Breezy Point section of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens.          

The twisters were part of a system of strong storms that pummeled the East Coast, flooding the streets of some New England towns and leaving tens of thousands in the dark in the Washington, D.C., area. One person suffered minor injuries during a partial stage collapse at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival in Arlington County, Virginia.      

Separately, firefighters continued to battle a bush fire near the coastal town of Wyong about 91 kilometers (56.5 miles) north of Sydney on Sunday (September 9).                       

Local media said a highway was closed because of smoke hazard, causing major traffic delays between Sydney and Wyong. The highway has since been reopened.                      

The Rural Fire Service reported that the fire may have been deliberately lit and there will be a formal fire investigation.    

For the full LBCI report, watch the video above. 


AP/REUTERS