‘The roof is gone:’ Tornado recovery efforts underway in downtown Buffalo [Video]

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Neighbors and crews in downtown Buffalo continued the cleanup effort after Monday’s EF-1 tornado shifting their focus from trees and powerlines to damaged homes and buildings.

Homeowners on Prospect Street expressed their surprise about the unexpected damage, but also gratitude.

“It’s usually shovels, not chainsaws,” said Steve Gedra.

Gedra’s home, built in 1861 and affectionately called ‘Big Red’ had three chimneys blown over and a support on his front porch damaged.

“A roof went flying over our house. The old gal, she stood up straight for us, big red took it and kept going,” Gedra said.

The National Weather Service confirmed that Monday’s tornado was the first to hit downtown Buffalo since 1950.

Having lived across the country, Gedra said Monday’s storm was “the worst” he’d ever seen but that he was grateful the City of …