UPDATE: The tornado warning expired at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday after the rotation in the storm which prompted the warning moved offshore. The National Weather Service said no tornadoes were confirmed, and no significant storm damage was reported.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Atlantic and Ocean counties Wednesday night and is urging people in those areas to seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building and to stay away from windows.
The warning was issued shortly before 11 p.m. and is effective until 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Forecasters said wind rotation — an indication of a possible tornado — was detected on radar in the area of Tuckerton and Atlantic City, prompting the tornado warning. But there were no immediate reports of any funnel clouds on the ground.
If a tornado does touch down on the ground, “flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the weather service said in its warning. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”
A tornado warning is more urgent than a tornado watch, so it should be taken seriously. A watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop, but there’s no immediate threat.National Weather Service
The tornado warning was issued as strong thunderstorms were sweeping across parts of the state. The storms have the potential to dump as much as 2 to 3 inches of rain in one hour, posing a risk of rapid flooding near rivers, streams and creeks and on roads with poor drainage.
Flash flood warnings were also issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday night for multiple counties as the storms began to creep into the Garden State.
Current weather radar
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Len Melisurgo may be reached at [email protected] or on X at @LensReality.
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