EF2 Tornado Rips Roofs Off NJ Homes In Path Of Destruction

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ — Severe storms on Thursday night caused significant destruction throughout the region, damaging more than 35 houses and multiple boats in the High Bar Harbor section of Long Beach Township, police said.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service on Friday afternoon confirmed two tornadoes in Ocean County. 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.

Read more: 2 Tornadoes Confirmed In Ocean County During Severe Storm

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

The National Weather Service will continue to survey storm damage in the affected areas on Friday, and urges people to report any damage in their neighborhoods. More information on the storms will be provided Friday night, the National Weather Service said in a morning update.

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Portions of Ocean and Monmouth counties were under a tornado warning Thursday night and residents were told through emergency alerts to immediately seek shelter.

Long Beach Township police have set up dumpsters for residents in High Bar Harbor who are cleaning up debris around their homes.

"It was like a freight train," said Mike Maron, of High Bar Harbor. His family took shelter on the ground floor of their home when the tornado warning was issued Thursday night.

On Friday at 5:15 p.m. he was still helping his neighbor whose home sustained damage after the storm.

"It's incredible to see neighbors helping neighbors clean up. All of High Bar Harbor is out helping," Maron said.

Long Beach Township police said officers responded to three 911 calls for medical assistance in High Bar Harbor on Thursday at 9:22 p.m.

Three residents were treated on scene for lacerations. Several people were evacuated and taken to the Barnegat Light Firehouse for shelter.

The latest storm comes less than one month after a tornado struck Ocean County in Little Egg Harbor. RELATED: 2 Tornadoes Confirmed In South Jersey During Tropical Storm Elsa

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 story contains reporting from additional Patch staff

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