2 Tornadoes Confirmed In Ocean County During Severe Storm

BARNEGAT, NJ — Meteorologists with the National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes struck Ocean County as severe storms moved through the region on Thursday night.

The National Weather Service found an EF1 tornado fueled by 105 mph winds struck Barnegat, while an EF2 blew through Waretown and Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island with winds gusting up to 115 mph.

Tornadoes are measured in wind speed according to the Enhanced Fujita scale, ranging from EF0, or less than 85 mph (light damage), to F5, which constitutes winds over 200 mph (incredible damage).

More information on the tornadoes will be provided Friday night as the National Weather Service continues to survey storm damage.

[8 AM] Here are the following areas that we will be investigating today. More details will be provided tonight. If you observed damage, please let us know. #dewx #pawx #njwx pic.twitter.com/7txwCypqjS
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 30, 2021

A Tornado Watch that was once in effect for 16 counties in New Jersey expired Thursday at 10 p.m. Portions of Ocean and Monmouth counties were under a tornado warning Thursday night and residents were told through emergency alerts to immediately seek shelter.

More than 35 houses and multiple boats in the High Bar Harbor section of Long Beach Township near Barnegat Light were damaged during the storm.

Roofs blew off multiple houses and several utility poles in the area were damaged, according to Long Beach Township police.

Tornadoes were also sighted Thursday in Burlington County. No major damage had been reported as of Thursday night, Burlington County spokesman David Levinsky said.

In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the suspected tornadoes caused serious damage, ripping the roof off an entire car dealership.

This article contains reporting from additional Patch staff

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