Multiple social media users spotted the ragged looking funnel southwest of the Brooklyn waterfront as the leading edge of the storm began to push through the region.
"Baby Brooklyn tornado," tweeted one observer.
The National Weather Service later tweeted "we reviewed pictures and video from New York Harbor, and determined there was a funnel cloud. From the videos we saw, there was no apparent sign of the circulation touching the water."
We reviewed pictures and video from New York Harbor, and determined there was a funnel cloud. From the videos we saw, there was no apparent sign of the circulation touching the water.
The cloud was the least of the city's worries from the storm, however. The system lashed the area with heavy rains, waterlogged streets and subway stations with flash-flood waters and otherwise made a mess of the evening commute.
Instagram: @mikeharari
The storm rolls across the Hudson, bringing along with it astonishing bolts of lightning.
Instagram: @astoriaboutny
Dark clouds hover over Astoria, Queens.
Instagram: Gerald Braun
A view of storm clouds from Red Hook.
NBC 4 New York
A dark, massive storm cloud looms above the George Washington Bridge Tuesday afternoon.
NBC 4 New York
Another scene from the George Washington Bridge.
NBC 4 New York
In this scene from One World Trade, darkness descends on the greater New York City area as the storm approaches.
Twitter: @wly_cdgr
The severe weather resulted in the Brooklyn-bound entrance to the 1st Avenue L stop (located at 14th Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan) to flood.
Another photo of the flooded L train stop on 1st Avenue.
NBC 4 New York
The Tuesday storms led to widespread flooding, including on the FDR Drive ramp on 79th Street in Manhattan.
NBC 4 New York
The storm hit Airmont, New York, in Rockland County leaving behind downed trees.
NBC 4 New York
Downed trees in Airmont, New York, due to the severe weather leads to road closures.
NBC New York
Drivers in Connecticut took to the roads during Tuesday's heavy rains.
NBC 4 New York
An eerie scene in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, as a enormous storm cloud hovers over a deserted beach.
Twitter: @andrewC031
This photo shows severe flooding on the FDR Drive — a result of the severe storms that hit the area Tuesday afternoon.
