Damaging Wind in New Jersey, June 2, 2000

A severe thunderstorm knocked down numerous trees and power lines throughout Morris County. Hardest hit were Netcong Borough and Dover Township. New Jersey Transit was forced to suspend service for a few hours on several of its lines within the county because of downed trees on the tracks. No serious injuries were reported. In Netcong Borough, the severe thunderstorm uprooted dozens of trees. U.S. Route 46 was closed for five hours as poles were ripped in half. Trees and wires were also knocked down along New Jersey State Route 183. The borough lost power for most of the weekend (the 3rd and the 4th) and was forced to enact emergency water restrictions.Trees and wires were also knocked down in neighboring Mount Olive, Roxbury and Washington Townships. In Rockaway Township, a swing set was smashed by a fallen tree. In Dover, the severe thunderstorm devastated the trees along U.S. Route 46 from Saint Clare's Hospital to Hurd Park. One massive tree took down a brick wall. Within the park, the roof of a gazebo was torn off. Power was out throughout the downtown area and several roads were blocked by fallen trees and wires. Trees were also knocked down in Boonton Township and Morristown. In Parsippany Township, 100 foot trees were knocked down and several large spruce trees were torn on half. Wind damage reached the eastern border of the county in Chatham Borough and Township. A SKYWARN Spotter measured a wind gust to 60 mph. In Chatham Borough, one large tree fell on and damaged a house. In Chatham Township, a large tree destroyed a garage. Trees were downed on several blocks. Downed trees forced New Jersey Transit to suspend service on lines through Netcong, Chatham and Morris Plains. Service was also suspended between Dover and Summit and also on the Gladstone Branch. The severe thunderstorms caused 84,000 homes and businesses to lose power throughout northern New Jersey; 60,000 of the outages occurred in Morris, Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon Counties. All power was restored by the 5th.