Tornado Confirmed In Middlesex, Flash Flood Warning In Mercer

TRENTON, NJ — Thunderstorms sparked by the remnants of Hurricane Ida spawned massive tornadoes in Gloucester County brought tornadoes and warnings to Mercer and Middlesex counties Wednesday night.

In addition, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning until 1 a.m. for Mercer County as a result of heavy rain accompanying the storm.

"This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life-threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets, and underpasses.

Some locations that may experience flash flooding include... Trenton, Ewing, Princeton, Byram, Flemington, Clinton, Pennington, New Hope, Yardley, Hopewell, Ferndale, and Frenchtown," the weather service said.

Photos posted to Twitter showed cars under water in Lambertville from flooding there, and the New Jersey Turnpike was shut down in both directions near Exit 12 because of flooding on the road.

100 year flash flooding in Lambertville NJ…. pic.twitter.com/k6AAU48lqV
— Pearl Gabel (@PearlGabel) September 2, 2021

At least one tornado was confirmed heading toward New Brunswick, as a tornado warning remained in effect until at least 8:15 p.m. for the area around Princeton.

Earlier, a tornado emergency was issued for Trenton as the tornado that blew apart homes in Mullica Hill appeared to re-form as it headed toward Trenton.

"A tornado emergency means that significant, widespread damage with a high likelihood of numerous fatalities is expected to continue with a strong and violent tornado," according to Accuweather.com. "It's a call to action that people need to react to immediately. When one is issued, a confirmed tornado is causing life-threatening conditions and people need to seek shelter right away."

Something I never thought I would have to see in my lifetime living in the Northeast, A multi vortex wedge tornado. Burlington Township NJ from earlier today.

(credit: Geo Jimenez via Facebook) pic.twitter.com/izlTbPS5g9
— Mike Stanislaw (RT Front Quadrant survivor) (@mikestanislaw) September 2, 2021

Tornado Emergency including Trenton NJ, Levittown PA, Hamilton Square NJ until 7:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/XqZp0amdv0
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) September 1, 2021

Confirmed #Tornado heading towards the west side of New Brunswick, NJ. The signature is very intense, so this continues to be a strong Tornado. Take cover now. pic.twitter.com/K93R96R6hB
— Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) September 1, 2021

A Tornado Emergency is not separate from a Tornado Warning. A Tornado Emergency includes enhanced wording & calls to action within a particular warning for storms with high confidence damage is occurring to higher density population. Only one for us was Marshalltown in 2018. https://t.co/YIu0BcBS6f
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) September 1, 2021