Thursday, June 12, 2025

A tornado which struck Beekmantown, Plattsburgh, and other parts of Clinton County, New York, on June 10, 2025, caused significant damage to local infrastructure and disrupting travel.

The tornado, rated EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, produced maximum winds of 75 mph, making it relatively weak but still impactful. Although no injuries have been reported, the storm left behind a trail of destruction, particularly along Route 22, which is a key travel route connecting these areas.

Local authorities are now focused on recovery efforts, particularly in Beekmantown, Plattsburgh, and surrounding towns that were impacted by road blockages, power outages, and brief disruptions to air travel.

Tornado Overview and Immediate Impact

The tornado hit around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, leaving a trail of damage along Route 22, primarily in Beekmantown. A residential home was severely damaged, with its roof torn off, while debris and fallen tree limbs were scattered across properties and roadways. The tornado remained on the ground for approximately half a mile, causing localized disruption.

Although it was a brief event, the tornado’s effects reached beyond Beekmantown. Nearby Plattsburgh also experienced minor impacts, with Plattsburgh International Airport reporting delays due to power outages that briefly affected air traffic control systems. The storm’s path also left debris blocking roads in areas like Ticonderoga and parts of Adirondack Park, causing some temporary closures and difficulties for travelers.

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the tornado’s EF-0 classification and estimated maximum wind speeds of 75 mph. Although the damage was not catastrophic, local authorities were quick to assess the situation, and recovery efforts were launched immediately.

Affected Areas and Travel Disruptions

The tornado’s brief but significant path caused disruptions in several key areas, including Beekmantown, Plattsburgh, and parts of Clinton County. In Beekmantown, Route 22, which is a major local road, was blocked for several hours due to fallen trees and debris. Emergency crews from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) worked rapidly to clear the roadways, ensuring that traffic could resume after a brief interruption.

The Plattsburgh International Airport reported minor delays in the late afternoon, with several flights experiencing delays of up to an hour due to power outages. Fortunately, no flights were canceled, and operations resumed quickly. In addition, smaller airports in Clinton County, including Clinton County Airport and Ticonderoga Airport, experienced only minimal disruption.

Travel through the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain regions, both popular tourist destinations, was also affected. Fallen trees and debris blocked scenic routes leading to attractions like Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Defiance, and other historic sites. The storm caused temporary restrictions to these popular roads, disrupting access to key tourist areas, especially during the busy summer travel season.

Emergency Response and Ongoing Recovery

The response from local authorities was swift. Clinton County Emergency Services worked alongside the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) to clear roads, restore power, and provide emergency shelter for those affected by the storm. Thanks to rapid recovery efforts, power was restored to most of the affected areas within hours, and there were no reports of serious injuries.

With most of Beekmantown and Plattsburgh now secure, recovery efforts are focused on assessing and repairing structural damage, particularly to homes in Beekmantown, where several buildings sustained significant roof damage. According to the New York State Office of Emergency Management (NYSOEM), recovery grants and resources are available to homeowners, and support from local non-profit organizations is being coordinated to help displaced residents.

The region’s tourism infrastructure was also affected. Although the Adirondack Park and Lake Champlain regions rely heavily on summer tourism, the temporary disruptions to roadways and access to popular sites like Fort Ticonderoga had an immediate impact on visitor numbers. Local tourism agencies are actively working to ensure that access to these sites is restored and that tourists can continue to visit the area without further disruptions.

Long-Term Effects on Tourism and Local Economy

The tornado, though short-lived, has raised concerns about the resilience of the region’s infrastructure, particularly in light of the region’s reliance on tourism. The Adirondack Mountains, Lake Champlain, and historical sites like Fort Ticonderoga are major attractions for summer visitors, and the storm has temporarily disrupted access to these areas. As travel resumes and recovery continues, tourism officials are optimistic that the region will recover quickly, but the storm has underscored the need for improvements in storm preparedness and infrastructure resilience.

The Plattsburgh area, which hosts Plattsburgh International Airport, a significant transport hub for the region, saw minor disruptions but is expected to return to normal operations soon. Local authorities are working with tourism and transportation officials to ensure minimal future disruption from similar storms, which may become more frequent as climate change affects weather patterns in the region.

Conclusion

The tornado that struck Beekmantown, Plattsburgh, and Clinton County, New York, on June 10, 2025, caused localized damage but had a significant impact on the local travel industry and infrastructure. The tornado’s brief path left behind damaged homes, fallen trees, and disrupted travel routes, especially for visitors heading to key tourist destinations like Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga. While no injuries were reported, the storm highlighted the region’s vulnerability to severe weather events and the importance of disaster preparedness. With recovery efforts underway, Beekmantown, Plattsburgh, and surrounding areas are working toward restoring normalcy and ensuring that future weather events have minimal impact on local infrastructure and tourism.