High Wind in New Jersey, December 12, 2000

High winds developed rapidly in an unstable air mass following the passage of a strong cold front across the area. Several measured peak wind gusts were at least 58 mph. They were responsible for causing at least 3 injuries, as follows:In Summit (Union County), a tree fell on and crushed a moving car, that injured the 2 occupants.In Glen Rock (Bergen County), an awning blew off a house and struck a nearby pedestrian.High winds downed many trees onto houses, cars, power lines, and streets, which caused significant property damage and power outages. On the Bayonne Bridge, high winds whipped across the Kill Van Kull, lifted a southbound tractor-trailer and dropped it sideways in the northbound lanes, which closed the bridge at 9:30 am.Here are selected specific peak wind gusts for:Bergen County - Although the peak wind gust measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at Teterboro Airport was 47 mph at 10:02 am, numerous trees and wires were downed in Hillsdale, a partial building collapsed in Rutherford, and a tree fell on a house and trapped people inside in Woodbridge.Essex County - Peak wind gusts measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at Newark Airport was 62 mph at 9:48 am and at Caldwell Airport was 50 mph at 8:27 am. Several trees fell onto and through houses in Newark.Hudson County - A peak wind gust to 58 mph was measured by spotter equipment from Harrison at 9:25 am. Numerous trees were downed in Hudson Heights and a chimney was blown off a building in Bayonne.Union County - A peak wind gust to 61 mph was measured by spotter equipment from Elizabeth at 9:20 am. Several trees were downed across roads in Union and many trees and power lines were downed in Springfield.