REPORT: Tornado hits Queens, New York; Damage reported in area

NEW YORK (CNN) - Severe weather barreled across the Northeast on Saturday as a powerful cold front brought heavy rain, high winds and possible tornadoes.

Twelve New York counties, as well as five New Jersey and three southern Connecticut counties, remained under tornado watches, officials said, as a line of storms mixed with warm, muggy air surrounding the New York metropolitan area.

Amateur video captured footage of an apparent twister spiraling a mixture of sand and debris near Breezy Point, a Queens neighborhood located at the western edge of the Rockaway peninsula.

The harsh weather forced a delay at the U.S. Open men's semifinals in Flushing Meadows, Queens, and caused the women's singles finals to be rescheduled for Sunday.

"This is just the beginning of an incredibly active, potentially deadly day," said CNN meteorologist Alexandra Steele.

Tornado warnings were extended until 9 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Fire officials responded to reports of possible tornadoes in both Brooklyn and Queens, and uncovered "some structural damage" as well as downed trees and power lines in both areas.

No injuries have been reported.

An FDNY official, who declined to be named citing official policy, said there were reports of "extensive damage in Breezy Point," and that fire units had been deployed to the area, responding to reports of overturned cars, broken windows and roof damage.

"It just got real windy and dark," said Juliana Santiago, who works at the Silver Gull Beach Club.

Roughly half a mile away, the Breezy Point Surf Club was damaged and closed after powerful storms knocked out the power, said Santiago.

The harsh weather left 275 New York City households without power, emergency officials reported.

"New Yorkers in the path of these severe storms should take proper precautions now," said Jerome M. Hauer, Commissioner of the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. "Strong winds and heavy rain can be dangerous as well as causing serious damage, and our top priority must be that families and individuals in affected areas are kept safe."

The storms could cause "widespread power outages and possible wind damage," according to a statement from the agency.

Authorities urged residents stay away from windows, tie down lawn furniture, tools and hangings plants, and to check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.

The agency also reminded people to keep their cellphones charged, beware of flooding and to stay off the roads until the storm passes. For additional information, authorities suggested visiting http://www.nyprepare.gov.

In 2010, three tornados ripped through the city, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving several vehicles and buildings damaged.

CNN's Susan Candiotti and Leora Kapelus contributed to this report