There were unconfirmed reports last night and early this morning that Hurricane Irene had spawned tornados in several New Jersey counties.

Residents in nearly every county except Warren and Sussex were told to be on the alert for the possibility of tornados until 5 a.m., officials said.

But already in the southern parts of the state, there were about 10 reports of tornados touching down between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., according to Jim Hayes, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Mount Holly.

One retired meteorologist reported a tornado touching down in Little Egg Harbor, adding to another report by a police officer of a tornado touching down in Burlington County, said Hayes.

Tornados also are reported to have touched down in Ocean, Camden, Atlantic and Monmouth counties, he said.

“We have had many reports,” Hayes said. “but, virtually all of them are unconfirmed.”

Many of the reports could have been confused with strong wind gusts, while others will be verified during daylight hours, he said.
In all, between 8:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. seven different tornado warnings were announced by the weather service.

(Source: NJ Star Ledger)