Multiple tornadoes hit New Jersey as the remnants of Hurricane Ida ravaged the state Wednesday night amid numerous warnings of flash ground, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
The National Weather Service said shortly before 6:30 p.m. that “a large confirmed and extremely dangerous tornado was located over Woodbury Heights, or 8 miles south of Gloucester City, moving northeast at 40 mph”.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” the weather service said. “Take cover now!” “
The National Weather Service said a 911 call center had received a report of “extensive damage in the Mullica Hill area, including several damaged homes and downed trees on Cedar Road.”
The Weather Service also received a report of a funnel cloud and damage in the Borough of Wenonah in Gloucester County at 6:27 p.m., but it was not immediately clear whether this was linked to the tornado that took been spotted in Woodbury Heights.
Videos and photos on social media showed extensive damage, including homes that were almost completely destroyed.
The Harmony Volunteer Fire Company in Mullica Hill reported that Gloucester County rescuers had been deployed to the heavily damaged area. There have been reports of “several trapped victims” in Harrison Township, which includes Mullica Hill, the fire department said.
“Gloucester County suffered devastating storm damage. It is likely that several tornadoes have hit our communities, ”the county’s emergency management office said in a statement.
Authorities also opened a shelter at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology, according to the Clearview Regional School District.
Atlantic City Electric spokesperson Frank Tedesco said the company’s electrical infrastructure suffered “significant damage” after a tornado hit the area. Crews were to assess the damage before any estimate of when service could be restored, the spokesperson said.
Governor Phil Murphy also said he was aware of the tornado that swept through Mullica Hill.
“I just spoke with Harrison Township Mayor Lou Manzo about the devastating tornado that ravaged the community of Mullica Hill and surrounding areas tonight,” said Murphy. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will do whatever is necessary to support the response and recovery in the days to come. “
Detective Bob Jones, spokesperson for the Deptford Police Department, said around 7 p.m. no injuries were reported in town.
“We are responding to several damage reports in the New Jersey Avenue and Cattell Road area,” Jones told NJ Advance Media. “Felled trees / cables, wind damage, etc.” We are opening our Emergency Operations Command Center to maintain unified command throughout the night. “
Photos and videos showed houses with ripped roofs in the area.
Anna Weis was able to see the tornado just beyond where she stood on her back porch in Mullica Hill on Tuesday.
“It must be at least ten years since we saw a tornado so close,” she told NJ Advance Media.
Weiss, a Gloucester County real estate agent, also kept watch over the William Heritage Winery located just off US-322.
Weiss, who is linked to owners Bill and Penni Heritage, said the couple had left to visit family in Louisiana, “taking care of them after the storm over there.” In their absence, the same storm moved up the east coast and uncomfortably approached their family winery.
“They were happy to hear that the winery is doing well, it was just beyond us,” Weis said.
The Weather Service also said shortly after 7 p.m. that “a large, confirmed and destructive tornado was observed over Beverly in Burlington County about 12 miles southwest of Trenton, moving northeast at 40 mph “and described it as” a tornado emergency for Bristol, Croydon and Burlington.
Burlington County spokesman David Levinsky said he confirmed there had been sightings of tornadoes in the western part of the county, but was not sure whether any of them had actually hit the ground.
“I can confirm that there have been sightings of a tornado that passed through the area of Edgewater Park, Beverly and Burlington, but so far we have not confirmed whether it has touched down anywhere and we have not received any reports of significant damage or injury, ”Levinsky said. .
In other parts of the state, flooding was more of a problem than tornadoes.
Flooding has been reported across much of northern Jersey and also in the western part of the state, such as Hunterdon County.
Several flash flood warnings were in place across the state.
Reporters Len Melisurgo and Jackie Roman contributed to this report.
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Chris Sheldon can be reached at [email protected].
