Tornado aftermath

Tornado hit Queens borough of New York City on 9/16 around 6pm. 
At first I thought it was nothing severe because everything we saw out of our windows was quite strong wind causing waves of water in the air, blackened skies and it lasted just for about 5 min. Gone. Nothing. But almost immediately started sirens of emergency vehicles. From all directions. Again could be just regular storm, we have had a couple of it this year. But, after 30 min sirens still coming I started to worry about my car parked on the street :) I guess not only me.
Still didn't want to go outside. After a helicopter with a projector had hung over our building for 10 min it got to me that it's quite serious somewhere close to us. I checked traffic in goggle.maps and got a shock - no one time saw I all local streets black. Something was happening out there for sure. And we went to see it ourselves as many of you did.
That was something extraordinary by any measure! Many people will remember those 5 min of nature's anger for long time: smashed cars, destroyed trees, damaged houses etc.
And below you'll find photographs witnessing human weakness before nature's power.


Firefighters working on cleaning Woodheaven Blvd in Queens, New York City


Firefighters working on cleaning Woodheaven Blvd, preparing safe corridor for traffic, Queens, New York City


Traffic allowed through safe corridor, Queens, New York City


Cars smashed by fallen trees, Queens, New York City


Tornado hit the streets of Queens


Traffic allowed through safety corridor, Queens, New York City


One of many cars totalled by fallen trees, Queens, New York City


Morning update: more pictures witnessing devastation:


Street blocked by fallen trees, Queens, New York City


Street destroyed by fallen trees, Queens, New York City


Do not park at bus stop?


Power lines are down by fallen trees, Queens, New York City


Fallen trees are all over the Juniper Valley Park, Queens, New York City


This tree fell down in the morning at Juniper Valley Park, blocking almost the whole road


Trees are down all over the neighborhood, damaging cars and houses


Trees are down all over the neighborhood, damaging cars and houses


You may cross the street now!