CAPE MAY POINT — The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly (NWS) confirmed in a preliminary damage survey that an EF-0 tornado came through Cape May Point after a waterspout came ashore July 21. There were no injuries or fatalities from the tornado.
The severe storms developed across the region during the afternoon and early evening. A tornado watch was issued at 2:09 p.m. through 9 p.m. Damaging straight-line winds (powerful, non-rotating wind gusts) were expected, with isolated tornadoes also possible.
The NWS reported a waterspout was witnessed going on shore at the beach in Cape May Point, starting at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 6:16 p.m.
The estimated peak winds of the tornado were 60 to 70 mph and survey results included a narrow path of tree damage along Lincoln and Yale avenues as well as near the intersection of Oxford Avenue and West Lake Drive. The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies an EF-0 tornado as one with 65 to 85 mph winds.
Public Works Supervisor Bill Gibson, who is also the emergency management
coordinator, said a few trees fell in the 400 block between Cambridge and Princeton
avenues and down by West Lake Drive, where trees brought down power lines.
“It was a big waterspout, usually they dissipate when they hit land, but it still had
momentum and kept going,” Gibson said. “The Fire Department responded for the
downed wires and Public Works responded for any downed trees.”
Gibson added that no one was injured and there was not major property or infrastructure damage.
The NWS also noted that at least one witness saw the funnel cloud proceed into Lake Lily, but no other damage was noted.
As multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms crossed New Jersey, several tornado warnings were issued starting at 5:49 p.m., indicating a tornado was possible along with hail. The warning area included North Wildwood, Avalon and Stone Harbor.
At 6:10 p.m., a tornado warning was issued for Cape May, West Cape May, North Cape May, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, Diamond Beach, Green Creek, Villas, Rio Grande, Erma, Whitesboro-Burleigh and Stone Harbor.
A second warning was issued at 6:15 p.m. for southwestern Cape May County with radar-indicated rotation and quarter-size hail.
After the tornado warnings expired, another line of severe thunderstorms moved through southern New Jersey, with heavy downpours and lightning.
Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain had fallen and the expected rainfall rate was 1 to 2.5 inches in an hour. A flash flood warning was issued at 10:38 p.m. through 2:45 a.m. More than 5 inches of rain fell in southern Cape May County from this system.
New Jersey is currently in a drought warning, with the state Department of Environmental Protection monitoring the situation closely. Summer water conservation guidelines include limiting lawn watering to twice weekly or less during dry weather.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
