Stormy Day at the Shore: Tornado Watch Until 6pm, High Wind Warning Until 7pm

Weather radar as of 12:45 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2020. (NOAA)

Shore residents were hoping to avoid a natural disaster on top of a health disaster Monday, with a tornado watch in effect all day long, a high wind warning in effect an hour longer and a coastal flood watch in place until early Tuesday.

The National Weather Service’s office in Mount Holly issued a tornado watch until 6 p.m. Monday, a high wind warning in place until 7 p.m. Monday and a coastal flood watch lingering until 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Projected wind gusts, Monday, April 13, 2020. (NOAA)

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“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” a statement from the weather service said. “Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

The tornado watch, the most severe of the advisories, carried no statements but it was noted that it is in effect for the entirety of Ocean County and several neighboring counties.

As for the coastal flooding threat, pp to one foot of inundation above ground level in low- lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways is expected. The most severely-affected areas will be Barnegat Bay and the waterways which flow into it.

The strongest winds are forecast to occur from late morning into the afternoon, the statement said. Thunderstorms are possible on Monday that could result in even stronger wind gusts.