A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Monmouth and Ocean counties, prompting concerns from local authorities as the weather deteriorates. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has also issued a tornado warning that is set to remain in effect until 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday. This warning covers northern Ocean County and southwestern Monmouth County, as well as parts of northeastern Burlington County.
As the storms intensified, Jersey Central Power & Light reported significant power outages. As of Tuesday night, over 12,000 homes and businesses in Ocean County were without electricity, constituting around 5% of the customers there. The areas particularly impacted include Point Pleasant, Brick, Lakewood, Jackson, and Plumsted. In Monmouth County, outages affected 842 customers—less than 1% of its total—mostly in the western part of the county, including regions like Colts Neck, Millstone, Manalapan, and Upper Freehold.
The weather service identified a severe thunderstorm capable of producing tornadoes located 16 miles west of Toms River, moving east at approximately 20 mph with indications of rotation detected in the Woodruff area of Plumsted. Localities that may experience significant impacts include Toms River, Lakewood, Jackson, and several other communities throughout the region.
Residents are urged to take immediate precautions. The National Weather Service recommends moving to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoiding windows. For those outdoors, in mobile homes, or vehicles, the best course of action is to seek substantial shelter and protect against flying debris. Additionally, torrential rainfall from the storm is likely to cause flash flooding, prompting advisories against driving through flooded areas.
In light of these severe weather conditions, it’s important for residents to stay informed and prioritize their safety. The community can work together to ensure that everyone remains sheltered and accounted for during this turbulent weather event.