Powerful Storm Rips Down Trees, Damages Homes In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Nearly 4,000 homes remained without power on Tuesday evening after a powerful storm ripped through Toms River, taking down trees, power lines and damaging homes and vehicles.

Toms River police were asking people to avoid Bay Avenue from Hooper Avenue to Vaughn Avenue because of the widespread damage in the wake of the storm.

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jersey Central Power & Light's outage website said the power outages could last well into Wednesday.

Police received more than 100 phone calls reporting trees that had fallen on homes and vehicles, and downed wires. Traffic signals were out at some intersections.

Photos taken by Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little and residents showed extensive damage, including a recreational vehicle blown on its side, multiple trees, damaged fences and part of a roof torn off a home.

There were no reports of injuries.

Multiple reports of damage were sent to the National Weather Service's Mount Holly office and posted to the service's Facebook page, with many people speculating the damage was cause by a tornado, and others suggesting they were straight-line winds or a microburst. As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday the weather service had not made a statement as to what kind of winds caused the damage.

If you have photos or video from the storm that you are willing to share for publication on Patch, email me at karen.wall@patch.com

Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.