A hot and humid air mass was in place on the 21st ahead of a cold front. This resulted in the development of some thunderstorms from west to east, some of which were strong to locally severe during the afternoon.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 21-AUG-09 14:00:00 to 21-AUG-09 14:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLBROOK
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A severe thunderstorm knocked down several trees in northern Warren County from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area east into Blairstown and Frelinghuysen Township. In Blairstown, New Jersey State Route 94, Vail and Jacksonburg Roads were closed because of downed trees. Traffic on New Jersey State Route 94 was detoured for the rest of the afternoon. Within the Delaware Water Gap, Old Mine Road, the Watergate Recreational Site and the Van Campens Glen were all closed because of downed trees.

Lightning in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 21-AUG-09 14:15:00 to 21-AUG-09 14:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: VERNON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

In addition to the severe weather, two lifeguards were struck and injured by lightning at Crystal Springs in Vernon Township. They were thrown to the ground by the strike, were dazed, lost their hearing for a short while and had smoking feet.

Lightning in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 21-AUG-09 14:40:00 to 21-AUG-09 14:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONTON
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike to the attic of a home on Birch Street in Boonton sparked a fire. It was brought under control in about fifteen minutes, but the home sustained water and electrical damage. Two firefighters were injured battling the blaze. The family was temporarily relocated.

Lightning in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 21-AUG-09 14:50:00 to 21-AUG-09 14:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLAWENBURG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike sparked an underground gas fire at the intersection of Skillman Road and County Route 601 in Montgomery Township. About 200 homes and businesses lost gas service until the blaze was extinguished. The roadway was closed into the evening.

Thunderstorm Wind in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 21-AUG-09 15:14:00 to 21-AUG-09 15:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: BERNARDSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe thunderstorm knocked down a large tree onto the New Jersey Transit Line in Bernardsville.

Thunderstorm Wind in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 21-AUG-09 13:40:00 to 21-AUG-09 14:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: WALLPACK CENTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A couple of severe thunderstorms caused wind damage across Sussex County, hitting the southeast half the hardest. The combination of damaging winds and lightning caused about 12,000 homes and businesses to lose power. Twenty-one of the twenty-four municipalities within the county reported power outages. Trees were reported down in Branchville, Fredon, Franklin, Green, Newton, Stillwater and Walpack. Wires were also reported knocked down on U.S. Route 206 and New Jersey State Route 94 in Newton. Trees fell on vehicles in Newton, Franklin and Green Township. In Green Township, a woman was trapped in her vehicle when live power lines came down on it. A deck was damaged in Franklin Borough and a boat was damaged in Stillwater Township. Power was not fully restored in the county until the 24th. No wind related injuries were reported.