Cleanup underway in Jackson following tornado's path of destruction

Homeowners and businesses elsewhere also began to pick up the pieces after several confirmed tornadoes blew through other parts of New Jersey.

News 12 Staff

Apr 2, 2023, 9:16 PM

Updated 617 days ago

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The impact from Saturday's storms was significant in Jackson where homes were damaged and roads were blocked.
Cleanup got underway in the community on Sunday as the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in the community, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Homeowners and businesses elsewhere also began to pick up the pieces after several confirmed tornadoes blew through other parts of New Jersey
The tornado left one of the largest indoor sports domes in the country at Adventure Crossing deflated.
Six Flags Great Adventure was closed on Sunday due to the tornado's impact in Jackson. Residents recounted the devastation of the tornado.
"The trees came down like daggers. The branches from the tree in the back, they just came down like daggers on top of the roof," said homeowner Lucy Gonzalez as she described the moment Saturday night's tornado touched down on her street in Jackson. She and her family took cover.
"We got in the crawl space, because we heard a loud noise outside. We heard trees coming down and everything. We were pretty frightened," Gonzalez recalled.
Part of Dogwood Drive was still shut down Sunday night after the storm ripped a tree from its roots and tossed it across a street, knocking over telephone poles and wires.
Chris Klauder lives on Dogwood Drive, where another tree alongside his house was oprooted.
"Everything was just so loud, and the wind literally sounded like a train, just like people say, but it's much louder than people really expect," Klauder said.
The National Weather Service also confirmed tornadoes touched down in nearby Howell and another in Cinnaminson in Burlington County. News 12 New Jersey was in Howell Saturday night shortly after the tornado blew through a neighborhood, knocking out power to people's homes and traffic lights on parts of Route 9.
"When we first started getting the notifications about the tornado coming down, about 10 minutes after that, we heard what sounded like a freight train coming through. I believe it came right across here right behind you down Aldrich Road, straight out towards [Route] 9," recalled Howell resident George King.
Saturday night's winds were between 60 and 70 mph and left a trail of destruction behind.
Residents who spoke to News 12 New Jersey throughout the weekend said the storms mostly caused property damage and no injuries were reported as of Sunday night.