EF-0 Tornado Strikes Atlantic County, Causes Damage

News Summary

An EF-0 tornado hit Atlantic County, resulting in significant damage across several areas including Malaga Road and Bellwyn Avenue. With winds reaching up to 75 mph, the tornado created a path of destruction, but thankfully no serious injuries were reported. The storm was accompanied by severe flooding, especially in Glendora where substantial water accumulation was reported. As the region braces for more severe weather, communities are now focused on recovery and assessing damage from the tornado and subsequent storms.

Atlantic County, New Jersey – An EF-0 tornado struck Atlantic County on May 16, 2025, at 12:52 PM, causing significant damage over a brief path. The tornado was recorded to have maximum winds between 65 to 75 mph and was on the ground for approximately one minute, carving out a half-mile path with a maximum width of 25 yards.

Initial damage assessments indicate that Malaga Road was one of the hardest-hit areas, where large branches were snapped and metal roof sheeting was ripped off an outbuilding. Near the intersection of Cains Mill Road and Colton Lane, a tree fell on a house. Fortunately, the homeowner was not present during the incident, as she was sheltering with students at a local middle school. Additional reports of damage along Bellwyn Avenue revealed a tree collapsing onto a home, prompting residents to describe the loud noise as comparable to a bomb explosion.

Despite the damage caused by the tornado, no serious injuries were reported in the affected areas. The tornado’s path of destruction extended to Cloverdale Lane and Wiltshire Drive, where downed limbs were attributed to straight-line winds rather than the tornado itself. However, the severe storms that swept through the region prompted further concerns.

In addition to tornado damage, flooding became a critical issue, with reports indicating up to 1.5 feet of water accumulating inside Morelli’s Market in Glendora, Camden County. The region had already been experiencing heavy rainfall days prior to the tornado, contributing to significant flooding threats particularly in the Chester, Montgomery, and Camden Counties.

Later that afternoon, the weather service issued multiple tornado warnings across South Jersey as another round of severe weather was anticipated. Thunderstorms were expected to produce additional tornadoes, prompting caution among residents. The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for nine counties, which was effective until midnight, due to the potential for wind gusts and hail.

This EF-0 tornado marks one of the first confirmed tornadoes for South Jersey during the spring season of 2025. Despite the overall destruction and severe weather conditions, there have been no reported fatalities. The community is now focused on recovery efforts as residents begin to assess the extent of the damage and seek support in the aftermath of the storm.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Tornado Confirmed in Atlantic County, New Jersey
Tornado Touches Down in Collings Lakes, NJ

Additional Resources

• 6ABC News
• Wikipedia: Tornado
• Country Herald
• Google Search: New Jersey tornado
• The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Google Scholar: tornado damage New Jersey
• WPG Talk Radio
• Encyclopedia Britannica: tornado
• CBS News
• Google News: New Jersey severe weather