Flooded Streets, Stranded Cars, Powerless Homeowners, Tornado Warnings, Punctuate Stormy NJ Night

Severe thunderstorms roared through New Jersey on Thursday afternoon, bringing flash flooding that was closing roads, knocking out power, and prompting tornado warnings in some areas.

A state of emergency declared by Acting Gov. Tahesha Way took effect at 2 p.m. across the state, with the possibility of up to 7 inches of rain in some areas.

More than 22,600 homes and businesses were without power across the state as of 5:15 p.m. That number had fallen to about 18,000 by 6:30 p.m. Jersey Central Power & Light was reporting 11,232 customers out, most of them in Manchester Township in Ocean County. There were just over 4,000 customers of Public Service Electric & Gas without electricity as well, according to PSE&G's maps. Atlantic City Electric was reporting more than 3,000 outages.

Power problems forced New Jersey Transit to suspend rail service along its Gladstone Branch between Bernardsville and Gladstone, and flooding prompted a rail suspension on the River Line between the Waterfront Entertainment Center and Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden. NJ Transit later published a photo showing a downed tree across the tracks and on wires that is causing the Gladstone suspension.

In Manchester Township, more than 5 inches of rain fell in two hours, according to the National Weather Service. The township had more than 5,200 homes and businesses without electricity as of 5:15 p.m.

In West Caldwell, flooding had closed Passaic Avenue about 3 p.m., police there said. Flash flood warnings around the state were prompting police in multiple towns to urge residents to move vehicles to higher ground from flood-prone areas, including in Point Pleasant Beach and Bloomfield.

Flash flood warnings have been extended to 8:45 p.m. in many parts of the state.

In Plainfield, a tornado warning was issued shortly before 2 p.m. as a storm cell capable of producing a tornado moved through the area. There were no immediate reports of a tornado sighting or damage, however.

A tornado warning also was issued for parts of Gloucester and Salem counties after a storm with some radar-indicated rotation was seen near Mullica Hill. There were no immediate reports of damage or a tornado touching down from that warning.

Island Beach State Park closed its swimming areas and visitors centers at 1 p.m., with the entire park set to close at 2 p.m., the state Department of Environmental Protection said.

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A ground stop was issued at Newark Liberty International Airport, which had started reporting flight disruptions as a result of the conditions. The FAA said there were arrival delays at Newark of more than 3-1/2 hours and departure delays of more than two hours. Travelers are urged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

"Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flash flooding across the state," Way said in declaring the state of emergency. "I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms. Residents should remain off the roads and indoors unless absolutely necessary."

Several community colleges closed early or moved classes to remote instruction, including Raritan Valley Community College, Union College of Union County and Ocean County College.

Multiple towns canceled evening concerts, and some closed their municipal offices early, including Millburn, South Brunswick, Brick, Hazlet and Colts Neck.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect until 2:15 p.m. for southeastern Morris, northeastern Somerset and north-central Middlesex counties, and a severe thunderstorm watch was in effect until 8 p.m. for most of the state.

The flood watch for the entire state went into effect at 2 p.m. and lasts until 6 a.m. Friday.