PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Several “large and extremely dangerous” tornadoes were spotted throughout the Philadelphia region Wednesday, the NWS says. The damage left behind from Ida in New Jersey has prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.
Several tornado warnings have been issued throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware on Wednesday as the remnants of Hurricane Ida pound the region.
The area around Mullica Hill, New Jersey, appears to have been hit particularly hard. A massive funnel was captured by Twitter user Ryan Thoden in the area.
Monster tornado intercepted!!!! @NWS_MountHolly @cbsnews @nbcnews pic.twitter.com/n9gsqHzueJ
— Ryan Thoden🌪 (@ThunderThoden) September 1, 2021
“I’ve never witnessed something like this before in my life,” resident Julia Konawel said.
A home was leveled after a tornado touched down in Mullica Hill.
“It’s like a war zone. The one house over there, there is nothing left of it,” Konawel said.
One man who lives right next door on Josephine Way didn’t want to be on camera, but says his home was hit too.
“You can hear the roof just being ripped off, the glass being smashed,” he said.
People who were driving and live in the area witnessed the dark clouds roll in and rain intensify.
“I looked over to my right and I saw a giant funnel,” Konawel said.
Many people hid in the basement as the tornado barreled though their neighborhood.
“I just went into my basement. One of the crazy things was I could not shut my basement door,” Julius Konschak said.
Not far away, on Winding Way, trees were down left and right. The back of a home was missing.
Winding Way in Mullica Hill pic.twitter.com/zWHW8rVdkn
— Kerri Corrado (@KerriCorrado) September 1, 2021
Firefighters fought through limbs blocking streets as the cleanup continues.
Gov. Murphy will tour the damage in Mullica Hill Thursday morning.
Eyewitness News cameras captured what appears to be a very large funnel cloud in neighboring Mantua Township, Gloucester County.
Credit: CBS3
An incredible video by viewer Cole Pisa shows an apparent tornado pass by the Burlington-Bristol Bridge.
Live footage from Burlington, NJ. Tornado passing Burlington Bristol Bridge. #Tornado #hurricanida pic.twitter.com/ipJ4rbYGQt
— Cole Pisa (@colefurd) September 1, 2021
Burlington County officials say there have been several sightings of a possible tornado in the area of Edgewater Park, Beverly and Burlington. However, there is no confirmation as to whether it touched down or not.
In Fort Washington, Montgomery County, viewer Bob Cinicola sent Eyewitness News video of whipping winds and rain.
Filmed the Ft. Washington, PA tornado from the hotel bathroom!! pic.twitter.com/dqHMyEvis4
— Bob Cinicola (@BobInBstn) September 1, 2021
Over in Chester County, viewer Evan Custance shared photos of downed trees and siding ripped off the side of a home in Oxford.
A friend of mine just sent me pictures right after an apparent tornado came through the Oxford, PA area. Damage from tornado in pictures below. Multiple trees and power lines down with roof pieces missing. #pawx #Tornado #nws #TORNADOWARNING #wxtwitter pic.twitter.com/WFI4onoqfI
— Evan Custance (@CustanceEvan) September 1, 2021
In addition to possible tornadoes, Ida has prompted multiple flash flood warnings.
A flash flooding warning is in effect for large portions of the area — including Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania suburbs, New Jersey suburbs, and Delaware — until 11:30 p.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware until 10 p.m.
Under a tornado warning for much of Delaware County — this is Springfield Road in Broomall. Heavy rain, lots of ponding. Be careful folks. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/vySu8mtKK9
— Joe Holden (@JoeHoldenCBS3) September 1, 2021
CBS3’s Kerri Corrado contributed to this report.
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