The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of Ocean and Burlington counties in New Jersey on Thursday evening, urging residents to seek shelter immediately as powerful thunderstorms swept across the region.
Tornado Warning Covers Jersey Shore Communities
The tornado warning was in effect until 8:30 p.m. Thursday and included Long Beach Island, Tuckerton, and Bass River State Forest, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly. The alert warned of potential damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles, with tree damage described as likely in the impacted areas. Residents were instructed to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Also Active
In addition to the tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect for parts of both Ocean and Burlington counties. The NWS cautioned that hazards included quarter-size hail and wind gusts reaching 60 mph. Heavy rainfall also raised flooding concerns across the Jersey Shore area, with a flood warning issued concurrently for the same zones.
Tornado Watch Extends Across Southern New Jersey
A broader tornado watch remained in place until 1 a.m. Friday, covering the southern half of New Jersey. The watch area included Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem, Mercer, and Monmouth counties. Forecasters warned that atmospheric conditions remained favorable for additional tornado development throughout the overnight hours.
What Residents Should Know
Emergency officials reminded residents to have a plan in place when severe weather threatens. If a tornado warning is issued, the safest action is to move to a basement or interior room away from windows. Mobile homes and vehicles do not provide adequate protection during tornadoes. The NWS recommends keeping a battery-powered weather radio or smartphone with alerts enabled to receive real-time updates.
Authorities across Ocean and Burlington counties monitored the situation through the evening. The NWS urged anyone in the path of these storms to take warnings seriously and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.
