The strong thunderstorms that rolled across New Jersey early Tuesday flooded out several roads, caused tree and branches to fall, knocked out power to 38,000 customers and toppled a scoreboard.

"This fierce squall line was reminiscent of thunderstorms we generally see in New Jersey in the spring or summer months. Even though a 'severe' wind is defined as 58 mph and above, these kinds of gusts can certainly wreak havoc on trees, cars, people, and structures," NJ 101.5 Meteorologist Dan Zarrow said.

PSE&G customers were hit hard, according to its outage map with 4,777 customers without power in Bergen County, over 6,600 in Camden County, Over 2,600 in Gloucester County and over 2,000 in Union County as of about 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Gloucester County customers of Atlantic City Electric are also hard hit with over 5.200 without powerm. Over 3,400 Cumberland County customers are off line as are 2,500 customers in Salem County.

About 1,330 JCP&L customers were without power in Hunterdon County and over 1,700 were in the dark in Somerset County  according to its outage map. The scoreboard at the Gloucester City High School football field was knocked over by a wind gust.

On the roads, Route 130 northbound was closed between near Brooklawn Circle due to downed pole and wires while  Route 30 is closed in both directions between Pleasant Mills Road and Route 206 in Hammonton. High water closed down Route 34 northbound in Wall Township between Route 195 and Hurley Pond Road.

Traffic lights are out on Route 1&9 in Linden and Rahway and Route 46 is closed in Columbia and Knowlton.

Newark Liberty International Airport reported delays of nearly two hours on arrivals.

HIGHEST MEASURED WIND GUSTS (according to the NJ Weather & Climate Network)

  • West Deptford Twp (Gloucester Co.) - 57mph
  • Upper Deerfield (Cumberland Co.) - 55mph
  • Harvey Cedars (Ocean Co.) - 50mph
  • Cream Ridge (Monmouth Co.) - 48mph
  • High Point Monument (Sussex Co.) - 48mph
  • Logan Twp (Gloucester Co.) - 48mph
  • Sea Girt (Monmouth Co.) - 48mph

Several towns received over an inch of rainfall in short order from these storms, including Walpack (Sussex Co.), Sicklerville (Camden Co.), Woodbine (Cape May Co.), and Stewartsville (Warren Co.)

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM