By: Richard L. Smith
A volatile weather system swept through North Jersey Thursday, unleashing damaging storms that toppled trees, struck homes, and even caused a building collapse after an afternoon that reached a sweltering 97 degrees.
In Cranford, emergency crews responded to multiple incidents, including a large tree that crashed into a house on Wade Street and another that crushed a vehicle on High Street around 4 p.m.
Officials say strong winds and lightning accompanied by hail led to several emergency calls throughout Union County.
Meanwhile, in Newark, firefighters were dispatched around 9 p.m. to 755 South Orange Avenue, where they found a partially collapsed unoccupied building.
Heavy debris spilled onto the street, and one person suffered minor injuries. Authorities believe the building may have buckled under the pressure of the intense storm activity.
Elsewhere in Union County, lightning struck a home on Anthony Circle shortly before 9 p.m., and in South Orange, firefighters responded to a home on the 200 block of Walton Street after a lightning strike was reported. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in those incidents.
Thursday’s storms capped off an already brutal day of heat, which helped fuel the violent weather.
Meteorologists reported that much of the state was under severe thunderstorm warnings during the evening hours, with intense rain, thunder, and strong wind gusts moving through Essex, Union, Morris, and Somerset counties.
As the storm threat subsides, New Jersey residents are now preparing for an extended heat wave beginning Sunday.
Temperatures are expected to soar into the triple digits in some areas, with little relief forecast until late next week.
Officials urge residents to remain alert, stay indoors during peak heat hours, and check for any structural or tree damage caused by the storms.