Tornado, Atlantic
- When
- August 21, 8:41 PM EST
- Where
- Atlantic County, Hammonton
- Rating
- F2
- Path length
- 1.5 mi
- Path width
- 330 yd
- Property damage
- $500,000
- Coordinates
- 39.469, -74.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Eyewitnesses indicated that a tornado touched down just northwest of Hammonton Lake which is oriented east-west in a heavily wooded area. The tornado moved east-southeast across the lake, becoming a waterspout. One witness stated that the waterspout pulled up a large quantity of water as it traversed the lake. On the eastern edge of the lake, the tornado apparently lifted off the ground for about 500 feet and then touched down again farther east before dissipating. Tree damage was extensive, with several trees twisted, snapped off and uprooted. Numerous trees were 2 to 3 feet in diameter, with a few of the trees 4 to 5 feet. The damage suggested that the tornado hugged the northern edge of the lake more closely. One large portion of a tree was sent through the roof of a nearby house. Another house was damaged by a 3-foot diameter trunk falling over on its roof. A wooden boat dock, some 30 feet in length, was completely destroyed and tossed up on the land. A 10- X 10-foot wooden shed was demolished and its roof lifted and carried about 200 feet away. Some other observers reported automobiles being moved about by the wind, and large areas of sod being vacuumed off the ground leaving exposed root pits. Fortunately, there were no known injuries from the storm.