Tornado warning issued for Burlington and Ocean counties
A tornado warning for parts of Burlington and Ocean counties in New Jersey expired at 8:30 p.m. Thursday after strong thunderstorms slammed the Jersey Shore, including Long Beach Island. Officials reported no immediate tornado touchdown, but extreme wind gusts and flash flooding caused road closures.
Key Takeaways
- The National Weather Service tornado warning for Ocean County areas including Long Beach Island expired at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
- Severe thunderstorm alerts also covered parts of Burlington and Ocean counties, with a flash flood warning for southeastern Ocean County through 8:45 p.m.
- Wind gusts reached 84 mph in Surf City and 77 mph in Ship Bottom; quarter-sized hail was reported in Stafford and Manahawkin.
- Flooding and debris closed stretches of Route 72 and Beach Boulevard in Brant Beach; more spotty storms were still possible Thursday night.
What happened with the New Jersey tornado warning?
According to CBS News Philadelphia, a tornado warning for parts of Burlington and Ocean counties expired at 8:30 p.m. The National Weather Service had urged people in warned areas to seek shelter in a sturdy building and stay away from windows.
Reporting carried by Yahoo News said the warning covered parts of Ocean County including Long Beach Island. Forecasters typically issue such alerts when a funnel cloud is spotted or radar detects wind rotation. An update after expiration said there were no immediate reports of a tornado on the ground.
How severe were the storms in Ocean and Burlington counties?
CBS meteorologist Bill Kelly said the storm moved from east to west through southern Ocean County. The National Weather Service logged intense gusts, including 84 mph in Surf City and 77 mph in Ship Bottom, with additional Ship Bottom readings of 73 mph and 65 mph and another 64 mph gust in Surf City.
Separate severe thunderstorm warnings covered overlapping parts of both counties Thursday afternoon and evening. Forecasters warned of wind gusts as strong as 60 mph and quarter-size hail. Hail of that size was later reported in Stafford and Manahawkin.
A flash flood warning for southeastern Ocean County remained active through 8:45 p.m. That area had already seen 1 to 2 inches of rain, with another 1 to 2 inches possible. Communities named in the alert included Barnegat, Beach Haven, Brookville, Harvey Cedars, Manahawkin, Ocean Acres, Surf City and Waretown. Rapid flooding was also a risk on the Garden State Parkway between mile markers 60 and 74.
Were any roads closed, and what comes next?
Stafford Township police urged extreme caution as flash flooding hit roadways in Manahawkin’s Ocean Acres section. A tree fell on Route 72 near Ivy Road, closing the highway in both directions. In Long Beach Township, Beach Boulevard was closed from 92nd Street to 31st Street in Brant Beach because of flooding and debris.
CBS reported a severe thunderstorm alert remained in effect for Burlington and Ocean counties until 9:30 p.m., while Yahoo’s companion forecast noted more spotty storms were possible Thursday evening. The Philadelphia region was also under a Code Red Air Quality Alert from wildfire smoke. For people tracking outdoor recovery and cleaner-air routines, see BlasterPost’s Longevity & Biohacking coverage. Check the latest local products from the National Weather Service Mount Holly office.