Heavy Rain Soaks New Jersey as NWS Issues Tornado Warning, Flood Watch, Three Other Alerts

Heavy rain is soaking some parts of New Jersey, prompting the NWS to issue a tornado warning, a flood watch, and three other alerts.

Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cape May County in New Jersey, advising residents to seek safety inside a sturdy structure right away.

The warning was in effect until noon on Tuesday morning after the weather service first observed rotating clouds at 11:33.

Recent information indicates that the tornado warning was lifted just before noon. No reports about a funnel cloud touching down in Cape May County had been made as of 12:15 PM that day.

According to the weather service, a powerful thunderstorm with a tornado potential was moving northeast at 15 mph over Goshen, which is 14 miles north of Cape May. For those without shelter, flying debris would be dangerous. There will be destruction or damage to mobile homes. Vehicles, windows, and roofs will all sustain damage as well. Damage to trees is also likely.

The potential twister could make a direct hit on places like Sea Isle City, Woodbine, Dennisville, Goshen, and Seaville. This includes the Garden State Parkway between mileposts 14 and 20, according to the warning.

Tornado Watch

Typically, weather forecasters will issue a tornado warning if they detect rotating winds on radar or if witnesses on the ground report seeing a funnel cloud.

Although a tornado watch is less urgent than a tornado warning, locals should still be on guard as stormy weather approaches. If a tornado warning is issued, individuals on the road are advised to take cover inside a strong building right away.

Soaking Heavy Rain

On Tuesday, meteorologists anticipated several rounds of heavy rain from a slowly moving low-pressure system, but they did not anticipate any severe thunderstorms as well as tornadic activity in New Jersey. That has been the case, especially in the state's southern half.

According to automated rain gauges watched by the Rutgers NJ Weather Network, more than 2 to 3 inches of rain have fallen so far on Tuesday in some areas of Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties.

All of the floods watches that the National Weather Service had issued for New Jersey earlier on Tuesday have now been revoked as of 1:45 PM, with the majority of the heavy rain now off-shore. A flood advisory is still in effect until 4 PM on Tuesday for Ocean and Burlington counties, where minor flooding is probable in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage, NJ.com reports.

Other Alerts

While previous alerts have been issued and shortly canceled, three new alerts are issued by the NWS to some parts of Florida, according to The Weather Channel.

This includes a Rip Current Statement (effective until Thursday 8 PM), Coastal Flood Advisory (effective until 10 PM), and Small Craft Advisory (effective until Friday 6 PM.)