Power Outage in Avalon, NJ

A gust front outrunning a cluster of severe thunderstorms entered near Eldora in western Cape May County at approximately 12:33 am EDT on the 30th. This gust front produced damaging wind gusts estimated from 65 to 70 mph as it traversed eastward across the county. Within approximately 20 minutes of the gust front passage, a potent line of severe thunderstorms tracked eastward into Cape May County. Strong wind gusts, estimated between 65 to 70 mph, resulted in significant tree and power line damage across the county. ||Several wind gusts in association with the gust front passage or cluster of intense thunderstorms were measured or estimated across the county by trained spotters and residents. The strongest measured wind gust across Cape May County was recorded in Eldora at 65 mph by a county official at 1:10 am EDT on the 30th. A 51 mph gust was measured by a trained spotter in Ocean City at 1:30 am EDT on the 30th. Elsewhere in Ocean City, a resident estimated wind gusts to be greater than 60 mph at 1:00 am EDT, causing several trees to be blown down. Wind gusts were also estimated to be greater than 60 mph by a resident in Sea Isle City at 12:50 am EDT. Finally, a 55 mph wind gust was estimated by a trained spotter in Wildwood at 1:15 am EDT. Severe thunderstorms exited eastern Cape May County, including the town of Avalon, at approximately 1:40 am EDT on the 30th. ||Widespread damage occurred across Cape May County as a result of the strong wind gusts associated with the gust front and cluster of severe thunderstorms. Trees, large tree limbs, and electric wires were blown down in Goshen, Ocean City, Woodbine, Marmora, and Avalon. In Middle Township, wind gusts knocked down wires and trees, including along U.S. Route 9. Strong wind gusts also blew down trees and power poles in Lower Township, including along Myrtle and Pine Streets. As a result, thousands of customers across the county experienced multi-day power outages, and many roads were impassable. Some areas experienced power outages for up to one week. Several communities provided air-conditioned cooling centers as temperatures soared into the 90s during the week following the derecho.