Damaging Wind in New Jersey, September 7, 1998

A squall line of severe thunderstorms knocked over numerous trees and wires throughout Hunterdon County around 145 p.m. EDT. The squall line also capsized numerous boats on both the Spruce Run and Round Valley Reservoirs. While none of the boaters were seriously injured, two persons were in Delaware Township and Frenchtown Borough when they were hit by falling trees. Numerous roads were closed, but all county roads were reopened on the 8th. About 20,000 homes and businesses lost power in the county. Power was restored to everyone on the 9th. Considering the number of downed trees, structural damage to homes was considered minimal with about half a dozen homes damaged by downed trees. The property damage estimate was under $50,000.The worst damage occurred in Alexandria, Holland, Kingwood and Raritan Townships and the Flemington, Frenchtown and Milford Boroughs. In Kingwood Township, numerous trees were down and a large section of the township south of New Jersey State Route 12 and east of County Route 519 were without power. The township also had the largest number of downed wire induced small fires. At least one home was damaged by a fallen tree. In Raritan Township, three roofs were damaged by fallen trees. Emergency personnel responded to about two dozen calls for help. About a dozen large trees were knocked down and four major roads were closed. A wall also tumbled at the old Jamesway section of the Flemington Mall. Most of Flemington Borough lost power during the storm. Booths were overturned at the fair. In Frenchtown Borough, a girl was injured while she was scrambling out of the Delaware River. A man was also injured when struck by a tree limb during a family reunion in Frenchtown Park. A garage and vehicle were crushed by fallen trees. In Delaware Township, a tree sliced a house in half. A man was injured when he tried to move his vehicle away from trees on his property. In Lambertville Borough, five large trees were uprooted in an historic cemetery. A jet skier, his four-year-old daughter and four women were rescued from the Delaware River. In Clinton Township, catamarans were capsized on the Round Valley Reservoir, but the boaters swam to shore. Similarly, about a dozen boats capsized on the Spruce Run Reservoir. One person was pulled from the reservoir waters, the others swam ashore. In Bloomsbury Borough, one house was damaged by a fallen tree. In High Bridge Borough, picnic tables were flying and a large tree took down a wrought iron fence. Other municipalities which reported downed whole trees and wires and had some road closures included Bethlehem Township, Clinton Township, East Amwell Township, Franklin Township, Hampton Borough, Readington Township, Stockton Borough, Union Township and West Amwell Township. A SKYWARN Spotter measured a wind gust to 64 mph in Whitehouse Station.