Was That a Tornado? Severe Storms and Flash Flooding Strike Bergen County
photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Police Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood , NJ — A sudden wave of severe weather slammed North Jersey on Tuesday, leaving residents wondering if a tornado touched down while flash flooding stranded motorists and shut down major highways.
Social media flooded with footage from local residents showing dramatic cloud formations and potential radar rotation, raising immediate safety concerns across towns like Ridgefield Park, Fair Lawn, and Glen Rock.
Did a Tornado Touch Down in Bergen County?
A formal Tornado Warning was issued from 2:50 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. across Bergen County and surrounding areas after weather radar detected strong wind rotation. A broader Tornado Watch remained active from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Despite numerous photos and videos shared by local residents questioning potential funnel clouds, the National Weather Service (NWS) stated they could not immediately confirm a ground touchdown in the county.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
Severe Flash Flooding Traps Motorists and Closes Major Highways
While tornado confirmation remains under review, the impact of torrential rain was immediate and dangerous across North Jersey transit routes:
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Ridgewood Underpass Flooding: Drivers had to be rescued after their vehicles were fully submerged under the train underpass on Franklin Avenue.
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Route 17 Southbound (Ho-Ho-Kus): Two out of three right lanes were forced to close due to standing floodwaters.
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Route 208 North (Fair Lawn): High water forced lane closures near Maple Avenue.
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George Washington Bridge: Disabled vehicles restricted traffic, closing multiple lanes heading out of the area.
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NJ Transit & Power Outages: Storm damage delayed several North Jersey train lines, while utility providers (PSE&G and Orange & Rockland Power) reported hundreds of residents lost power during the peak of the storms.
Official Response and Safety Warnings
County officials urged residents to exercise extreme caution when navigating flooded roadways and storm debris.
“We’re continuing to monitor the weather systems and current situation. Storms and heavy rain are expected throughout the remainder of the afternoon/early evening,” stated Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. “Do not drive through flooded roads, and stay aware from downed power lines.”
The Bergen County Office of Emergency Management reiterated a vital reminder for all commuters: Never drive through flooded roadways.
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Location Affected: Bergen County, New Jersey (including Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Ridgefield Park, and Ho-Ho-Kus).
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Was a tornado confirmed? The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning due to radar rotation, but has not confirmed an official touchdown.
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Road Impact: Closures were reported on Route 17, Route 208, Franklin Ave in Glen Rock, and near the George Washington Bridge.
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WordPress Tags: Bergen County, NJ Weather, Flash Flood Warning, Tornado Warning, North Jersey, Traffic Delays, Local News
