Weird Weather 2021 In NJ: Historic Tornadoes, Tropical Storm Ida

NEW JERSEY — From tornadoes and nor’easters to historic flooding, New Jersey saw its share of extreme weather in 2021.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Ida caused historic destruction throughout the Garden State in September, when flash flooding devastated several towns and tornadoes leveled at least 20 homes.

Tropical Storm Ida brought the number of tornadoes in New Jersey in 2021 to 13, just shy of tying the record set in 1989 when 17 tornadoes touched down in New Jersey. The state typically averages about two tornadoes each year, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s a look back at the major weather headlines from 2021:

3 Tornadoes Confirmed In NJ Following Ida's Historic Wrath

Following Tropical Storm Ida, investigators with the National Weather Service determined that three tornadoes struck Burlington, Mercer and Gloucester counties.

The most severe of those tornadoes was in Harrisonville in Gloucester County, where an EF-3 tornado brought peak winds of about 150 mph and leveled at least 20 homes.

Flooding also occurred in 10 of 21 counties that normally are not flood prone. Multiple rivers reached major flood stage, including the Passaic and Raritan rivers.

Biden Visits Somerset County, Says Losses Are 'Profound'

President Joe Biden visited New Jersey on Sept. 7 to view the damage from Tropical Storm Idea firsthand.

Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic and Somerset counties were declared as major disaster areas due to the unprecedented damage and flooding from the storm.

The catastrophic damage endured by Somerset County and the rest of New Jersey is similar to what Biden said he is seeing across the country and what he believes is linked to global warming.

EF2 Tornado Rips Roofs Off NJ Homes In Path Of Destruction

Thousands of Ocean County residents were awoken by the tornado warning alerts sent to their phones on July 30 when severe storms tore through the Harbor Harbor section of Long Beach Island, damaging more than 35 houses and multiple boats.

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.

Further inland, the storm toppled hundreds of trees and damaged playground equipment at Wells Mills County Park. Drone footage released by Ocean County Parks and Recreation shows how the park looked after the tornado struck. Read more: WATCH: Drone Video Shows Storm Damage At Wells Mills County Park

Flash Flood Traps Shoppers In Hoboken Lot: It Happened That Fast

Intense rainfall quickly led to flooded streets in Hoboken on July 8 as Tropical Storm Elsa moved through the tri-state area.

Within a half hour, a supermarket parking lot on Hoboken's west side — an area notorious for flooding — was surrounded by a foot of foul-smelling water due to a downpour from Tropical Storm Elsa.

Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

New Jersey has yet to see its first snow this season, but nearly one year ago the state was slammed by a nor'easter that spread at least 35 inches of snow across North Jersey on Feb. 1.

In Morris County, Mount Arlington reported 35.1 in of snow, followed by Chester at 31 and Chatham at 30.7, according to the National Weather Service.

Other areas across northeast New Jersey, including Bergen, Essex and Union counties saw anywhere between 15 to 22 inches of accumulation, forecasters said.

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