Tornadoes in New Jersey

Written by: Rosaly Gomez

On February 21st, an unexpected tornado occurred in Mercer County. One hundred houses and businesses were damaged and nearly sixty residents were displaced. This is how this catastrophic event went down.

NWS claims the tornado began at 3:35 pm in Lawrence Township. The tornado was on the ground for 5.8 miles throughout Quaker Bridge. A resident reported “And then it got real dark. I’ve never seen the wind blow like I did. It blew so bad that I said, ‘[L]et’s get in the tub! It’s a tornado!’” (WHYY PBS.) Another resident told ABC News, “I’m looking out the back window and I see my shed lift off the ground and fly in the air. I said, ‘This is no hail storm.’” Christopher Cace told NJ.com that the tornado appeared to have only lasted two minutes.

Extreme damage was seen in West Windsor and Lawrence townships. Many trees were ripped from the ground due to the harsh winds. Many cars and homes were destroyed. Rooftops and building sidings were completely torn. Approximately seventy-five people have nowhere to live currently. It is reported that the tornado came between 110 to 115 miles per hour. The tornado lasted six minutes, from 3:35 pm until 3:41 pm.

In New Jersey, there have been 182 tornadoes from 1950 until now. In the year 1989, there were nineteen tornadoes. Tornadoes during February are typically a rare thing in New Jersey. When the weather is colder, thunderstorms do not occur.

Fortunately, no one was severely injured. Seventy-five people have been displaced from their homes so that cleanup can be done. New Jersey volunteers have met with twenty-two families. The Red Cross has helped fifty-four people. Mercer County needs all the help it can get. You can help by spreading awareness about the tornado as well as making donations if possible.