Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Definitely a crazy weather day, with Downtown Buffalo being struck by a tornado," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown with WBEN on Tuesday morning.
The EF-1 tornado that struck the city's Lower West Side just before 1 p.m. ET came as a complete surprise.
"It came through very quickly and unexpectedly," Mayor Brown said. "It was pretty devastating to trees in the path. About 50 trees were damaged. More than half of those will have to be removed. I don't think we've ever seen anything like this."
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In addition to toppled trees, roofs were blown off, chimneys were damaged and cars were flipped over.
Mayor Brown says with just four buildings on Niagara Street and 7th Street, fire estimates are over $2.5 million.
"The damage from this tornado will certainly be in the millions of dollars when you factor everything in," he said.
Brown says he will be looking at Federal Emergency Management thresholds to see if there is any assistance that residents and businesses can tap into.
Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski, who lives on the Lower West Side, said many of his neighbors told him about roof or chimney damage, large trees down, plus vehicle damage.
"Many of them are asking me, how do I work through the claims process? I want to look into what folks can apply for, and what they qualify for," Nowakowski noted with WBEN on Tuesday.
Nowakowski says he is also working with the Department of Public Works to add another bulk trash pickup due to all of the debris.
All streets in the path of the tornado were back open by Tuesday morning.