The Most Powerful Tornadoes to Ever Hit New Jersey

5. Morris County – May 28, 1973

The first tornado on the list of the most powerful tornadoes to ever hit New Jersey struck Morris County on May 28, 1973. This tornado touched down at about 6 p.m. near Burham Park in Morristown.

The tornado was about 50 yards wide and had wind speeds somewhere between 158 and 206 mph. Exact windspeed estimates were not available for this tornado. The tornado damaged several homes and buildings, especially roofs and windows. The tornado traveled for less than half a mile before lifting off.

4. Morris County – May 28, 1973

Later the same night in Morris County, another F3 tornado touched down near Morristown. This F3 tornado struck shortly before the next entry on this list. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the tornado touched down near Flanders-Drakestown Road in Flanders, the northern part of the state.

This tornado was 50 yards wide and was on the ground for almost half a mile, destroying 12 homes in its path. Although 12 people were injured during the twister, nobody was killed. The estimated wind speeds for this twister are between 158 and 206 mph as per the tornado’s rating, but we don’t know for certain.

3. Ocean County – July 21, 1983

The tornado that struck Ocean County in 1983 was one of the most powerful to ever hit New Jersey. Also, it was the only F3 to ever hit South Jersey. At approximately 7:30 p.m., a small tornado touched down on South Main Street in the Stafford Township.

Although the twister was just 10 yards or about 30 feet wide, it caused $2.5 million in damage in just a few short minutes. The tornado traveled for about a quarter mile, destroying homes and businesses, wrecking local infrastructure, and damaging other property. This twister did not kill or harm any people, though. Like the other tornadoes listed so far, we don’t know this one’s wind speed. However, as an F3, it would have had wind speeds from 158 to 206 mph.

2. Somerset County – October 18, 1990

The Somerset County tornado struck very late in the year on October 18, 1990. The tornado touched down in Montgomery Township at roughly 5:07 p.m. The tornado traveled northeast from Mill Pond Road to Wilshire Road, staying on the ground for about half a mile.

The tornado reached a width of 100 yards and had a maximum estimated wind speed of 175 mph. The Somerset County tornado was one of the most powerful tornadoes to ever hit New Jersey as well as the one with the highest reasonably confirmed wind speed on this list.  

The twister injured 8 people, but nobody died as a result. The storm system caused an estimated $2.5 million in damage to homes, businesses, and personal property.  

Gloucester County – September 1, 2021

The most recent powerful tornado to strike New Jersey struck on September 1, 2021. This tornado was highly unusual for its strength, the amount of time it spent on the ground, and its size. The Gloucester County tornado is the largest on this list and caused more damage than the others.

The remnants of Hurricane Ida traveled from where the storm made landfall in Louisiana to the Northeast, bringing powerful storms to the area. The tornado touched down in Harrisonville and began what would become a 12.37-mile-long path of destruction.

The tornado strengthened to an EF3 and had maximum winds of 150 mph. Along the way, the tornado grew to 400 yards wide, larger than all the other tornadoes on this list combined. The tornado ripped through homes, flipped vehicles, smashed farm buildings, and knocked down trees as it traveled.

After a harrowing 20 minutes, the tornado dissipated as it approached Deptford Township. Despite the size, power, and duration of the tornado, only 2 people were hurt, and nobody was killed. The twister caused $5 million in damages.