Tornado Watch Has Been Issued for Ocean County

Tornado Watch Has Been Issued for Ocean County

A Tornado Watch is in effect for much of New Jersey through 9 p.m. Saturday as severe thunderstorms move across the Tri-State Area.

According to the National Weather Service, the watch includes the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren. Residents in these areas should remain alert for rapidly changing weather conditions.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING!

Flash flooding is underway in northeastern Ocean County. Storms have already dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain and are producing an additional 1 to 3 inches per hour. Toms River, Beachwood, Lakehurst, and South Toms River are among the areas affected, along with the Garden State Parkway between mile markers 80 and 88. Avoid flooded roads, water can rise rapidly.

In addition to the threat of tornadoes, New Jersey could see large hail up to the size of Ping-Pong balls, torrential rainfall, flash flooding, and wind gusts reaching 70 mph as multiple rounds of thunderstorms move through the state this afternoon and evening.

A tornado watch remains in effect from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday for nearly all of New Jersey, with the exception of the state's far northeastern corner.

Although most tornadoes in New Jersey are typically weaker, ranking as EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, forecasters warn that any tornadoes that form today could reach EF2 strength, producing winds between 111 and 135 mph.

Tornadoes of that intensity are capable of causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure while uprooting large trees. Stay up to date with your local forecast.