The 2006 Westchester County tornado was an F2 tornado that touched down in Rockland County, New York, on July 12, 2006. It traveled 13 miles (21 km) into southwestern Connecticut during a 33-minute span through two states. The tornado touched down at 3:30 p.m. EDT on the shore of the Hudson River before becoming a waterspout and traveling 3 mi (5 km) across the river. Coming ashore, the tornado entered Westchester County and struck the town of Sleepy Hollow at F1 intensity. After passing through the town, it intensified into an F2 tornado and grew to almost a quarter mile (400 m) in diameter, making it both the strongest and largest tornado in the county's history. The tornado continued through the county, causing damage to numerous structures, until it crossed into Connecticut at 4:01 p.m. EDT. Not long after entering the state, it dissipated in the town of Greenwich at 4:03 p.m. EDT. The tornado left significant damage in its wake. Two barns and a warehouse were destroyed, and a large stained-glass window was shattered. Numerous homes and businesses were damaged and thousands of trees were uprooted. There were no fatalities and only six minor injuries were associated with the storm. Damages from the tornado totaled $12.1 million.
Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Westchester_County_tornado
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1543:
King Henry VIII of England married Catherine Parr , his sixth and last wife, at Hampton Court Palace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Parr
1790:
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed, a law that subordinated the Roman Catholic Church in France to the French government. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Constitution_of_the_Clergy
1862:
The Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government, was first authorized by the U.S. Congress. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Honor
1943:
World War II: Nazi German and Soviet forces engaged each other at the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest tank battles in military history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Prokhorovka
1979:
The Gilbert Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom and became known as Kiribati. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiribati
2006:
Hezbollah forces crossed the Israel–Lebanon border and attacked Israeli military positions while firing rockets and mortars at Israeli towns, sparking the July War. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zar%27it-Shtula_incident
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
heirloom (n): 1. A valued possession that has been passed down through the generations.
2. A crop variety that has been passed down through generations of farmers by seed saving and cultivation http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/heirloom
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour. --Henry David Thoreau http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau