A warm front acted as a focus for strong to severe thunderstorms during the early morning of the 3rd in northwestern New Jersey and during the late afternoon and early evening of the 3rd across central New Jersey.

Lightning in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 19:00:00 to 03-JUL-11 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAMMONTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A 54-year-old male was struck and killed by lightning while ducking under a tree during a thunderstorm to light a cigar in Hammonton. In 1963, the man's father was also struck and killed by lightning. A 38 year-old male cousin was seriously injured by the same lightning strike. The man felt a blast and remembered being thrown back a few feet before losing consciousness. He regained consciousness in the ambulance and was expected to recover.

Thunderstorm Wind in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 02:50:00 to 03-JUL-11 02:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: OGDENSBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A severe thunderstorm knocked down numerous trees in Sparta Township on and around West Mountain Road, Grandview Terrace and Sterling Hill Road. One property lost between fifteen and twenty trees and also suffered roof damage to its home. About 150 homes lost power. Power was fully restored by 3 p.m. EDT that afternoon.

Hail in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 02:50:00 to 03-JUL-11 02:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPARTA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Quarter size hail also fell from the severe thunderstorm in Sparta Township.

Lightning in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 03:40:00 to 03-JUL-11 03:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAMINGTON
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck and started a barn fire on Lamington Road in Bedminster Township. Seven fire companies responded to the fire and it took about forty minutes to extinguish. Much of the hay in the barn was destroyed.

Lightning in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 03:55:00 to 03-JUL-11 03:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST BRUNSWICK
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A lightning strike caused a communications failure that affected the police, fire and rescue services in East Brunswick Township. The municipal building also suffered some structural damage by the lightning strike.

Lightning in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 04:00:00 to 03-JUL-11 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MENLO PARK
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike knocked out a transformer on the roof of the JFK Medical Center. It also caused a small smoky fire in a pipe in the wall of the hospital. Sixteen patients were moved off the pediatrics specialty care unit until the blaze was extinguished.

Lightning in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 16:05:00 to 03-JUL-11 16:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike and ensuing fire destroyed a shed and its contents in Alexandria Township. Lightning struck a branch of a tree and then traveled to the roof of the shed where it ignited the fire. It took two fire companies about twenty minutes to extinguish the blaze. A snow blower, go cart and tools within the shed were all destroyed.

Lightning in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 07:15:00 to 03-JUL-11 07:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARGATE CITY
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike to Lucy the Elephant in Margate caused significant damage to the tourist attraction's electrical and climate control system. The computer printers, air conditioning controllers, lighting and fire alarm controllers all suffered electrical damage.

Lightning in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 17:10:00 to 03-JUL-11 17:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOMS RIVER
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck four homes in Toms River Township, but caused little structural damage. The lighting caused about 2,000 JCP&L customers to lose power in ten municipalities within Ocean County.

Lightning in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 17:00:00 to 03-JUL-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MANAHAWKIN ARPT
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck and started a roof fire in an unoccupied home on Fathom Avenue in the Ocean Acres section of Stafford Township. Four fire companies responded and confined the fire to the west side of the home's roof.

Hail in MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 16:20:00 to 03-JUL-11 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMITHBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell in Manalapan Township.

Hail in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 16:45:00 to 03-JUL-11 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: VAN HISEVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail up to the size of quarters fell from a severe thunderstorm in Jackson Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 16:51:00 to 03-JUL-11 16:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: VAN HISEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

In addition to the large hail, the severe thunderstorm knocked down large tree limbs and wires within Jackson Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 17:08:00 to 03-JUL-11 17:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIDGEWAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A severe thunderstorm tore down numerous large tree limbs and some wires in Manchester Township.

Hail in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 03-JUL-11 02:40:00 to 03-JUL-11 02:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: FRANKLIN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Penny size hail fell in Franklin Township.