New Jersey, 1998

Damaging Wind in New Jersey, May 31, 1998

May 31, 1998 · NWS PHI · 1 event in 1 county or zone

The second severe thunderstorm of the evening produced wind damage across western parts of Morris County. A Rockaway Township boy was nearly killed when a tree crashed through the roof.

Where it happened

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  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.

The second severe thunderstorm of the evening produced wind damage across western parts of Morris County. A Rockaway Township boy was nearly killed when a tree crashed through the roof. Near Mount Arlington, numerous trees were knocked down around the southern edge of Lake Hopatcong. Downed poles in Washington Township closed several roads. GPU reported about 10,000 homes and businesses lost power in Northwest New Jersey including Morris County.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morris

When
May 31, 10:32 PM EST
Where
Morris County, Lake Telemark to Schooleys Mtn
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
40.970, -74.500

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New Jersey in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in New Jersey, May 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5660413.