EF2 tornado in Ocean County, New Jersey

A tornado formed from along an eastward moving rotating supercell within a line of thunderstorms and made initial touchdown near Patterson road, off of West Commodore Road, in Jackson Township and continued east for approximately a 3/4 mile long and 200 yard width path across the residences on the north side of Stonehenge Ct and along West Commodore Blvd, before going across the residences and businesses across Wright Debow and Hamilton Rd. Dozens of large hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted in a convergent pattern, power poles downed or snapped, fences demolished, and sheds, small outbuildings, and dumpsters flipped or moved. Despite the significant tree damage, generally only minor siding and roof shingle damage was noted. This damage was consistent with EF1 winds of 90 to 110 mph.

The tornado then likely strengthened to its greatest intensity as it continued east, across a cleared and paved area, to a newly built large warehouse development. The southern half of the warehouse, made up of several 3 story concrete pre-fab tilt-up

walls, both on the east and west side, tied together with metal roofing system above, collapsed in an eastward direction. Based on the degree of damage and construction this was determined to be high end EF2 winds of 120 to 130 mph. In addition dozens of hard and soft wood trees on the south and southeast side of the building and east side parking lot were uprooted or trunks snapped laying in a E/NE direction.

The tornado continued on, now in an east southeast direction, for about 3/4 mile with about 200 yd path width, just north of GasTime, across Diamond Road and back along West Commodore road, and into the residences around Indiero Lane and Oaktree Lanes. The most extensive tree and powerline damage was seen along West Commodore Road, with hundreds of mature hard and soft wood trees uprooted or snapped in a convergent pattern, numerous power poles downed or snapped, as well as roofing and insulation debris from the warehouse being littered along the way. The tree damage along part of West Commodore Road was consistent with winds of 100 to 120 mph. The tornado appeared to be weakening to EF0 as it entered the residences around Indiero Lane and Oaktree Lanes, south of West Commodore, with the tree damage path becoming scattered and narrowing to 100 yards, and only minor siding and roof shingle damage noted. The tornado likely occluded just before reaching the

Land O Pines Mobile Home Park, where the tornado path ended.

A strong cold front approached the region, with a line of strong showers and thunderstorms developing out ahead of the front. Storms produced damaging winds, multiple tornadoes, and small to medium-sized hail in New Jersey.