Tornados Near Staten Island, New York A list of all F1 or larger tornados that touched down near Staten Island, New York over the last 75 years. Data courtesy of NOAA Severe Weather Database., STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- On Friday, Staten Island was included in the area covered by a tornado watch. Though Staten Island didn't experience a tornado this time, there have been other occasions , Over the years several tornadoes have made a brief appearance on the Island and caused significant property damage., In 1817, the Richmond Turnpike Company began operating the first mechanically powered steam ferry between New York and Staten Island. It operated for several years with only the occasional disaster, but in 1901, an upsetting incident involving the Northfield Ferry, a Jersey Central Ferry and 995 passengers finally led the City of New York to seize control of the fleet’s operations. The , When the storm hit, on October 29th, all the Staten Island ferries on the water were on the Staten Island side. One ferry was in drydock; the seven others had been tied to piers near the St , 9 16 10 New York Storm Onboard The Staten Island Ferry Yuri L 24 subscribers Subscribed.