The National Weather Service (NWS) in Mount Holly, New Jersey has completed a site survey in Ewing, New Jersey to determine whether or not a tornado hit the Mercer County community last night. Based on their analysis, a strong downburst was responsible for the damage and not a tornado.
According to a report just released by the NWS, a downburst associated with a thunderstorm ahead of a squall line produced estimated wind gusts of 80mph last night around 8:15pm. Damage from the straight-line wind event was within an area between Western Avenue, Sussex Street, Buttonwood Drive, and Ardsley Avenue. In this area, up to 100 trees were damaged, with 10-20 large trees completely uprooted. Three homes were damaged from fallen trees, with one home destroyed.
The worst damage occurred near Pennington Road Fire Company on Route 31.
According to authorities, there were no injuries or deaths reported from this storm and its downburst.
Just 30 minutes after the initial downburst, another wind event occurred in the same area, tied with the trailing squall line. That second blast of strong wind produced a gust in the range of 30-50mph. According to the NWS, that second wind event produced little or no additional damage.
As a result of last night’s storm, more than 4,000 utility customers were without power due to damage to lines and poles from the wind and falling trees.
