National Weather Service confirms tornado hit Gloucester Twp., Camden County
Toppled trees and fallen branches could be seen scattered throughout one community.
GLOUCESTER TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage to homes and trees in a section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey on Thursday morning.
Many neighbors on Deer Park Circle said they were just waking up for the day when the wind and rain intensified.
"Prior to 5 o'clock this morning it sounded like a freight train was coming through the house," said Marcy Schanne. "We came running downstairs and then all the power went out."
Doorbell video from a neighbor shows the rain just after 5 a.m., and in a matter of seconds you can barely see across the street when the wind really picks up.
Chopper 6 was over the scene showing trees down in yards and on homes.
In the early afternoon, the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado came through the Camden County community with estimated peak winds of 90 miles per hour.
"I woke up to a bang and felt the house shake around 5 o'clock in the morning," said Alyssa Scirrotto.
That bang turned out to be a tree branch slicing through her roof into her living room.
She and her boyfriend bought the house three months ago.
"I was just shocked," she said. "We just stared at it for 10 minutes not knowing what to do."
Two other homes had trees resting on them when all was said and done.
Branches were everywhere and fences were damaged, and even a shed was torn apart.
"The tree falling on my house," said Rick Grenda, standing in front of his home as crews worked to remove the tree. "And I came out immediately. It was still raining... and saw widespread destruction out here."
Police described the frightened calls they received as the tornado came through.
"Some neighbors reported that the clouds looked like they were swirling," said Capt. Jason Gittens of the Gloucester Twp. Police Department. "Then it came out and the trees coming over and the branches breaking."
Police say most of the damage was confined to a small stretch of Deer Park Circle.
No injuries were reported.
Police say inspectors came through and so far it looks like all of the homes are still structurally sound.
