Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, 28K Lose Power In NJ; 70-MPH Winds

NEW JERSEY – Wild weather happened in New Jersey on Friday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. Winds as strong as 70 mph and hail were reported, and more than 28,000 lost power (see list of towns without power below).

Problems also arose on the roads as the weather got worse (see list of road conditions below).

The weather was also impacting flights and services at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Train service was also impacted; at least one line was shut down.

The severe thunderstorm warning was issued in Morris, Sussex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Warren, Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem counties.

Here were the towns without power:

1. PLEASANTVILLE CITY 7,991
2. SOMERS POINT CITY 6,108
3. NORTHFIELD CITY 3,926
4. READINGTON TOWNSHIP 1,777
5. BERLIN TWP 1,259
6. RARITAN TOWNSHIP 1,236
7. MARLBORO TOWNSHIP 1,149
8. MIDDLE TWP 614
9. DENNIS TWP 567
10. PORT REPUBLIC CITY 564
11. MANALAPAN TOWNSHIP 513
12. MANTUA TWP 499
13. BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP 485
14. WOODBRIDGE TWP 378
15. WINSLOW TWP 256
16. CARTERET BORO 226
17. LAMBERTVILLE CITY 193
18. MOUNT LAUREL TWP 122
19. TRENTON CITY 119
20. BURLINGTON TWP 118
21. POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH 75
22. VENTNOR CITY 74
23. HILLSBOROUGH TWP 73
24. TOMS RIVER TOWNSHIP 51
25. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP 49
26. Little Egg Harbor 44
27. DELAWARE TOWNSHIP 43
28. FRANKLIN TWP 43
29. HANOVER TOWNSHIP 41
30. LAWRENCE TWP 39
31. WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP 35
32. WARREN TOWNSHIP 35
33. BERKELEY HEIGHTS TOWNSHIP 35
34. PERTH AMBOY CITY 29
35. FLEMINGTON BOROUGH 28
36. EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP 26
37. EWING TWP 10
38. FLORENCE TWP 9
39. PRINCETON 9
40. MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP 8
41. WALL TOWNSHIP 7
42. WEST WINDSOR TWP 7
43. FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP 6

Here were the problems on the roads:

• Downed tree and downed wires on NJ 50 southbound north of Honest John Rd in Estell Manor. All lanes closed and detoured 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• Flooding on US 130 in both directions at NJ 47 in Brooklawn. All lanes closed and detoured 5-10 minute delay,, use caution.
• Downed tree and downed wires on NJ 34 in both directions South of CR 520/Newman Springs Rd in Colts Neck Twp. All lanes closed . Northbound traffic using right should to get by Incident. er. 10-15 Minute delay., use caution.
• Downed tree on NJ 208 southbound North of NJ 4 in Fair Lawn. Right lane closed 5 minute delay.
• High winds on the Goethals Bridge in both directions from New Jersey Side in Elizabeth to New York Side in Staten Island 30 miles per hour speed limit posted.
• High winds on the Bayonne Bridge in both directions from New York Side in Staten Island to New Jersey Side in Bayonne 30 miles per hour speed limit posted.
• Downed tree on NJ 31 northbound North of CR 623/Allerton Rd in Clinton Twp. Right lane closed.
• Downed tree on NJ 23 northbound North of Paterson Hamburg Tpke in West Milford Twp. Left lane closed.
• Downed tree on NJ 28 westbound West of Mountain Ave in Middlesex. Right lane closed for repairs.
• Jack-knifed tractor trailer on US 1 northbound at Carnegie Center Blvd in West Windsor Twp. Left and center lanes closed ,southboud left lane is closed,, 10-15 minute delay.
• Crash on the Garden State Parkway southbound Exit 82A - NJ 37 West in Toms River Twp. Exit ramp closed to traffic due to accident. VMS in use.
• Crash with Injuries on the Atlantic City Expressway eastbound East of Exit 17 - NJ 50 in Hamilton Twp. Left lane closed MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY WORKERS.
• Traffic Signal Down on NJ 38 eastbound at CR 607/Church Rd in Moorestown Twp. 1 lane closed 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• 14As of 1:39pm, there's an Overturned tractor trailer on I-295 northbound North of Exit 36 - NJ 73 in Mount Laurel Twp. Right lane and shoulder closed 10-15 minute delay, use caution.
• Downed tree on US 46 eastbound area of CR 621/Valley Rd in Clifton. 1 lane closed.
• Downed tree on NJ 28 westbound West of Mountain Ave in Middlesex. Right lane closed for repairs.
• Flooding on US 130 in both directions at NJ 47 in Brooklawn. All lanes closed and detoured 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• Flooding on NJ 47 northbound from Garden State Parkway in Middle Twp to Susquehanna Av in Wildwood. All lanes closed and detoured follow detour, use caution.
• Downed tree on NJ 68 southbound CR 537/Monmouth Rd in Springfield Twp. All lanes closed and detoured Northbound partial right lane closure, 10-15 minute delay.
• Overturned tractor trailer on I-295 northbound North of Exit 36 - NJ 73 in Mount Laurel Twp. Right lane closed 20-25 minute delay, use caution.
• Crash on NJ 73 northbound at CR 675/Cooper Rd in Voorhees Twp. Right shoulder closed use caution.
• Crash on the New Jersey Turnpike - Western Spur northbound North of Interchange 15E - US 1&9 in Newark. Left lane blocked.
• Crash on NJ 29 southbound at Lalor St in Trenton. Right shoulder closed 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• Traffic Signal Down on NJ 38 westbound at East of CR 673/Fellowship Rd in Moorestown Twp. 1 lane closed 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• Crash on the Garden State Parkway local lanes southbound North of Exit 109 - CR 520 in Middletown Twp. Right shoulder blocked.

A high-wind warning was also issued for much of the state. Southwest to west winds with gusts up to 60 mph are expected.

The NWS says damaging winds will result in tree damage and downed power lines. Scattered to widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located in the Penns Grove area aroiund 10 a.m., carrying 70 mph winds and possible hail, according to the National Weather Service.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.