BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A small tornado touched down Friday afternoon in Atlantic County as a thunderstorm moved through the region, the National Weather Service confirmed following a storm damage survey.
The EF-0 tornado formed in the Collings Lakes section of Buena Vista Township at 12:52 p.m. and stayed on the ground for about one minute, traveling a half-mile before lifting, officials said. The storm brought winds estimated between 65 and 75 mph and had a path width of approximately 25 yards.
The tornado was part of a thunderstorm system that swept across southern New Jersey, triggering alerts and warnings as it passed. There were no reports of injuries or significant structural damage linked to the brief touchdown.
“An EF-0 is the weakest tornado on the six-level severity scale that’s used by the weather service,” the National Weather Service said in its report issued Friday evening. The Enhanced Fujita scale ranges from EF-0 to EF-5, with EF-0 indicating minor damage potential.
The weather service dispatched a storm survey team to assess damage in the area following reports of wind-related incidents during the storm’s passage.
