NEW YORK - Strong storms that pummeled the East Coast spawned at least two damaging tornadoes in New York City, flooded the streets of some New England towns and left tens of thousands in the dark in the Washington, D.C., area.

No serious injuries were reported when a twister hit a beachfront neighborhood Saturday on the edge of New York City and a second, stronger tornado followed moments later about 10 miles away. Residents got advance notice, but still the storm took people by surprise.

The unsettled weather, part of a cold front that crossed over the Eastern Seaboard, toppled trees and power lines and damaged buildings as it went. Wind gusts reached 70 mph in some places.

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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Story Image: Residents survey damage at the Breezy Point Surf Club after a possible tornado touched down during severe weather in New York, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. (Kathy Wilens, AP)

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