Southern Ocean County Tornado Reached 110 MPH Winds

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A tornado in Southern Ocean County reached 110 mph winds Tuesday during Tropical Storm Isaias, according to the National Weather Service. Despite the wreckage and tumultuous weather, the area got relatively lucky, the NWS says.

The agency published a summary of the tornado that pushed through Southern Ocean — one of the Garden State's two reported tornados during the storm. The tornado lasted from 10:50-10:54 a.m. Tuesday, beginning from the bay by Ship Bottom and reaching Manahawkin, the NWS said.

The storm, of course, caused some issues in the area, including damaged property and leaving nearly all of Long Beach Island without power. But there were no injuries or deaths associated with the storm in the area, and the damage could've been much worse, the NWS said.

Here's what the NWS figured out:

• A waterspout developed in the bay between Ship Bottom and Brant Beach. It traveled northwest, with video showing the circulation with light debris crossing the Causeway Bridge.
• The waterspout continued on its path, passing east of Mud City in Stafford before moving ashore into the marshy area of the Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area.
• Other than some light debris reported in the air as it crossed the bridge, the NWS has not received any other damage reports associated with this tornado.
• The tornado traveled 3 miles.
• Doppler radar indicated velocities up to 112 mph at about 1,600 feet above ground near the LBI weather station.

The NWS discovered New Jersey's other tornado around Upper Township in Cape May County. Its winds peaked at 110 mph significantly damaed property on Route 9.

Containers were tossed, and a truck trailer flipped on its side by the Coca-Cola facility, the NWS said. Then the tornado upended a shed near the facility and moved several vehicles from their original locations. Read more: Tornado Winds Near Ocean City Reached 100 MPH During Isaias

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