A well-organized cluster of thunderstorms with a history of producing widespread damaging winds advanced into a hot, unstable airmass over the Mid Atlantic. This derecho produced widespread, significant wind damage from southern New Jersey southward into the Delmarva during the late evening and overnight of the 29th. Salem, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties were hit the hardest. The counties were battered by the derecho which downed trees, power lines and poles, sparked fires and destroyed some homes.
There were three storm related deaths, two boys camping in Salem County and a man whose boat capsized in Absecon Bay in Atlantic County. A preliminary damage assessment put the cost at around $20 million for the three counties.  In all sixteen homes were destroyed, ninety-two suffered major damage, one hundred eighty-seven suffered minor damage and another one hundred and twelve were affected by the derecho. In addition, forty-one businesses suffered major damage and three hundred twenty-nine suffered minor damage. A state of emergency was declared in Atlantic County. Governor Chris Christie mobilized the National Guard to help provide fuel and water. President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for parts of South Jersey in the wake of the derecho.  The president ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in Atlantic, Cumberland and Salem counties. Federal funds will be available to state and local governments and certain nonprofit private organizations.  Atlantic City Electric reported 206,000 of its customers lost power; 105,000 of the homes and businesses were in Atlantic County.  On Sunday July 1st, 119,000 of its customers were still without power.  The utility restored power to its last customers on July 11th.  Meanwhile in Cumberland County, Vineland Electric expected its remaining 1,800 customers that lost power to have it restored during the week of July 9th.
Strong thunderstorm development began across the Midwest and Lower Great Lakes regions during the afternoon of the 29th, with storms initiating across northern Illinois, near Chicago.  Strong mid-level winds and an unstable airmass contributed to rapid development as well-organized storms progressed from northern Illinois through Indiana and Ohio.  This robust convection continued to track southeastward into an airmass that was even more unstable due to abundant daytime surface heating.  Late afternoon temperatures had peaked mainly in the mid to upper 90s with high humidity throughout the Mid Atlantic states, and as the potent thunderstorm cluster progressed from the Great Lakes to the central Appalachians and into the Mid Atlantic by late evening, thunderstorm activity was reinvigorated.
A robust gust front outpaced the main thunderstorm line, producing strong wind gusts as it traveled from the eastern shore of Maryland into Delaware and southern New Jersey. Shortly thereafter, the potent thunderstorm line tracked through the region, with additional damaging wind gusts. One cell in particular around Baltimore, MD experienced rapid intensification and expansion as it raced eastward into northern Delaware and southern New Jersey. This massive cell produced extreme damage throughout Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties in New Jersey. Damage to trees, power lines, and buildings was also significant throughout Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland. Thunderstorms also dropped hail in several locations, ranging from penny to golf-ball size. Destructive wind gusts, between 65 mph to nearly 90 mph, were measured as this derecho tracked from the Lower Great Lakes to the Mid Atlantic coast.

Hail in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 29-JUN-12 23:25:00 to 29-JUN-12 23:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: ABSECON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A thunderstorm dropped quarter-size hail in Absecon at 12:25 am EDT on the 30th.

Hail in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:05:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: EGG HARBOR CITY
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large and intense thunderstorm dropped half-dollar size hail in Egg Harbor City at 1:05 am EDT on the 30th.

Hail in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:30:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUCKERTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A thunderstorm dropped penny-size hail in Tuckerton at 1:30 am EDT on the 30th.

Lightning in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:15:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: LONGPORT
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike and the ensuing fire gutted the 104-year-old Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Longport. It was believed that the lightning strike ignited the tower. The church's roof was nearly completely burned, the stucco exterior severely charred and the stained-glass windows were gone. Firefighters had a difficult time battling the blaze as strong to damaging wind gusts were occurring with the derecho at the time of the blaze. No serious injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 29-JUN-12 23:19:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: PENNSVILLE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A gust front outrunning a cluster of severe thunderstorms entered near Pennsville in western Salem County at approximately 12:19 am EDT on the 30th. This gust front produced damaging wind gusts estimated from 65 to 70 mph as it traversed eastward across the county. Within approximately 20 minutes of the gust front passage, a potent line of severe thunderstorms tracked eastward into Salem county. One thunderstorm cell in particular experienced rapid intensification and expansion as it tracked into southern New Jersey. Destructive wind gusts, estimated at 75 mph, resulted in significant tree and power line damage county-wide. Severe thunderstorms exited eastern Salem County, including the town of Elmer, at approximately 1:06 am EDT on the 30th.
Widespread damage occurred across Salem County as a result of the strong wind gusts associated with the gust front and cluster of severe thunderstorms. One home was destroyed, another suffered major damage. Three other homes suffered minor damage and one other was also affected. Numerous large tree limbs blew down in the town of Elmer. The Little Acres Farm in Pittsgrove Township had about four dozen 80-foot trees completely uprooted. Approximately 70 trees were knocked down onto roadways across the county, resulting in numerous road closures. Several hundred large trees were knocked down or damaged in Parvin State Park (Pittsgrove Township) in eastern Salem County, and two fatalities resulted. Two young boys, ages 2 and 7, were killed when the top half of a 40 to 50 foot pine tree snapped off due to high wind gusts and landed on the camping tent where they and other family members were taking shelter. The two boys were cousins, one from nearby Franklin Township (Gloucester County) and the other from Millville (Cumberland County). An intense cluster of thunderstorms tracked over eastern Salem County at 12:50 am EDT on the 30th, producing wind gusts estimated between 70 to 75 mph.
Thousands of customers lost power across the county as a result of extensive tree and wire damage, with many areas experiencing power outages for up to one week. Some customers did not have their power restored until after the 4th of July. As a result, Salem County Emergency Services and the American Red Cross established air-conditioned cooling centers in Woodstown and at the Pittsgrove Township Municipal Building as temperatures soared into the 90s during the week following the derecho.
Damage estimates for Parvin State Park alone are approximately $500,000 as several buildings were damaged and hundreds of trees were either knocked down or damaged. More than a month following the derecho, the majority of the park remained closed to the public as clean-up efforts continued. The swimming beach and concession stand at the park did not reopen until the weekend of July 21st - 22nd. Through early August 2012, some 938 trees have been removed from the park, and damaged large limbs from another 989 trees have been hauled away. Park officials anticipate that much of the park will remain closed to the public for months.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 29-JUN-12 23:23:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENWICH
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 3.65M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A gust front outrunning a cluster of severe thunderstorms entered near Greenwich in western Cumberland County at approximately 12:23 am EDT on the 30th. This gust front produced damaging wind gusts ranging from 65 to 70 mph as it traversed eastward across the county. Within approximately 10 to 20 minutes of the gust front passage, a potent line of severe thunderstorms tracked eastward into Cumberland County. One thunderstorm cell in particular experienced rapid intensification and expansion as it tracked through southern New Jersey. Destructive wind gusts, estimated as high as 75 mph, resulted in significant tree and power line damage county-wide. Eight homes in the county were destroyed, forty others suffered major damage. In addition, one hundred thirty one other homes suffered minor damage and fifty others were affected.
Several wind gusts in association with the gust front passage or cluster of intense thunderstorms were measured across the county by trained spotters, mesonet sites, and ASOS equipment. A 59 mph wind gust associated with the gust front was measured in Newport by a trained spotter at 12:40 am EDT on the 30th. Soon after, severe thunderstorms tracked through the Newport area, producing winds measured at 59 mph by a trained spotter. The strong winds associated with the cluster of thunderstorms occurred at 12:50 am EDT on the 30th and lasted for a duration of 10 minutes.
Intense thunderstorms produced several other measured wind gusts as they progressed from west to east across the county. A 62 mph gust was measured by a mesonet station in Upper Deerfield Township at 12:45 am EDT. Two locations recorded the highest measured gust of 67 mph in Cumberland County. A mesonet station in Bivalve measured a 67 mph gust at 12:50 am EDT, and the ASOS equipment at the Millville Municipal Airport (KMIV) measured a 67 mph gust at 12:57 am EDT. In addition, the KMIV Airport ASOS also measured a 63 mph gust at 12:52 am EDT. The final measured gust in Cumberland County of 64 mph was recorded in Vineland by a trained spotter at 1:00am EDT on the 30th. Severe thunderstorms exited eastern Cumberland County, including the town of Port Elizabeth, at approximately 1:19 am EDT on the 30th.
Widespread damage occurred across Cumberland County as a result of the strong wind gusts associated with the gust front and cluster of severe thunderstorms. Numerous trees were knocked down in Vineland and Bridgeton, and damage to some buildings was also reported in Vineland. Trees were reported down along Glade Road in Maurice River Township. Electric wires were knocked down in Delmont, and multiple large tree limbs blew down in Port Norris.
Thousands of customers lost power across the county as a result of the extensive tree and wire damage, with many areas experiencing power outages for about one week. According to Vineland Electric, about 1,800 customers did not have their power restored until the week of July 9th. As a result, the city of Vineland, as well as other surrounding communities, provided air-conditioned cooling centers as temperatures soared into the 90s during the week following the derecho. Vineland also postponed its Independence Day fireworks twice.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 29-JUN-12 23:33:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELDORA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A gust front outrunning a cluster of severe thunderstorms entered near Eldora in western Cape May County at approximately 12:33 am EDT on the 30th. This gust front produced damaging wind gusts estimated from 65 to 70 mph as it traversed eastward across the county. Within approximately 20 minutes of the gust front passage, a potent line of severe thunderstorms tracked eastward into Cape May County. Strong wind gusts, estimated between 65 to 70 mph, resulted in significant tree and power line damage across the county.
Several wind gusts in association with the gust front passage or cluster of intense thunderstorms were measured or estimated across the county by trained spotters and residents. The strongest measured wind gust across Cape May County was recorded in Eldora at 65 mph by a county official at 1:10 am EDT on the 30th. A 51 mph gust was measured by a trained spotter in Ocean City at 1:30 am EDT on the 30th. Elsewhere in Ocean City, a resident estimated wind gusts to be greater than 60 mph at 1:00 am EDT, causing several trees to be blown down. Wind gusts were also estimated to be greater than 60 mph by a resident in Sea Isle City at 12:50 am EDT. Finally, a 55 mph wind gust was estimated by a trained spotter in Wildwood at 1:15 am EDT. Severe thunderstorms exited eastern Cape May County, including the town of Avalon, at approximately 1:40 am EDT on the 30th.
Widespread damage occurred across Cape May County as a result of the strong wind gusts associated with the gust front and cluster of severe thunderstorms. Trees, large tree limbs, and electric wires were blown down in Goshen, Ocean City, Woodbine, Marmora, and Avalon. In Middle Township, wind gusts knocked down wires and trees, including along U.S. Route 9. Strong wind gusts also blew down trees and power poles in Lower Township, including along Myrtle and Pine Streets. As a result, thousands of customers across the county experienced multi-day power outages, and many roads were impassable. Some areas experienced power outages for up to one week. Several communities provided air-conditioned cooling centers as temperatures soared into the 90s during the week following the derecho.

Thunderstorm Wind in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 29-JUN-12 23:49:00 to 30-JUN-12 01:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: BUENA
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 13.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A gust front outrunning a cluster of severe thunderstorms entered near Buena in western Atlantic County at approximately 12:49 am EDT on the 30th. This gust front produced damaging wind gusts estimated from 65 to 70 mph as it traversed eastward across the county. Within approximately 20 minutes of the gust front passage, a potent line of severe thunderstorms tracked eastward into Atlantic County. One thunderstorm cell in particular experienced rapid intensification and expansion as it tracked across the eastern part of the county. Destructive wind gusts, measured around 75 mph, resulted in significant tree and power line damage county-wide. Based on the extensive damage, winds were estimated to be as high as 90 mph in areas across the county. There were seven homes that were destroyed, forty-nine that suffered major damage, fifty-two that suffered minor damage and forty-two that were affected.
Several wind gusts in association with the gust front passage or cluster of intense thunderstorms were measured across the county by trained spotters, mesonet sites, and ASOS equipment. The strongest measured wind gust across Atlantic County was recorded in Absecon at 74 mph by a retired NWS employee at 1:05 am EDT on the 30th. Several locations in nearby Atlantic City also recorded significant wind gusts. A 66 mph gust was measured at a mesonet station in Atlantic City at 1:11 am EDT on the 30th. At the Atlantic City Marina, a 64 mph gust was measured by the NOS platform at 2:00 am EDT. The ASOS equipment at the Atlantic City International Airport (KACY) recorded a wind gust of 58 mph at 1:13 am EDT. Elsewhere, a 64 mph gust was measured at a mesonet station in Mullica Township at 1:15 am EDT, and a 60 mph gust was recorded in Estell Manor by a NWS cooperative observer at 1:00 am EDT. Finally, a 50 mph gust was measured by a resident in Somers Point at 1:00 am EDT. Severe thunderstorms exited eastern Atlantic County, including Atlantic City, at approximately 2:02 am EDT on the 30th.
Extensive damage occurred across Atlantic county as a result of the strong wind gusts associated with the gust front and cluster of severe thunderstorms, and a State of Emergency was declared in the county. An idle 727 aircraft was moved and damaged by the derecho at the Atlantic City International Airport. Numerous large trees and electric wires were knocked down in many communities, including Estell Manor, Northfield, Mays Landing, Egg Harbor City, Hamilton Township, Galloway Township, Linwood, Margate City, Egg Harbor Township, Ventnor City, Longport, and Atlantic City. As a result, much of the county was affected by long-term power outages, and numerous roads were impassable. Atlantic City Electric reported approximately 105,000 of its customers lost power. In addition to the widespread tree and power line damage, structural damage was also significant across the county, with trees blown down onto houses in Buena and Absecon and shingles blown off of homes in Somers Point. Thousands of customers experienced power outages for about one week. Approximately 1,400 Atlantic City Electric customers that had lost power during the early morning of June 30th did not have their electricity restored until July 8th. Several communities, including Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, and Brigantine, provided air-conditioned cooling centers as temperatures soared into the 90s during the week following the derecho.

Thunderstorm Wind in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 29-JUN-12 23:53:00 to 29-JUN-12 23:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: IONA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A large and intense cluster of thunderstorms moving from northern Delaware through southern New Jersey produced wind gusts estimated at 65 mph and knocked down numerous trees across southeastern Gloucester County. The damage occurred around 12:53 am EDT on the 30th. Two homes suffered major damage, another suffered minor damage and nineteen others were affected.

Hail in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCULLVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorms moving through Atlantic County dropped penny-size hail in Egg Harbor Township at 1:00 am EDT on the 30th.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ATCO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A strong to severe cluster of thunderstorms moving across southern New Jersey produced wind gusts estimated at 58 mph and knocked down large tree limbs across southeastern Camden County, in the town of Atco. The damage occurred at 1:00 am EDT on the 30th.

Thunderstorm Wind in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:35:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUCKERTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A gust front ahead of a cluster of severe thunderstorms passed through southern Ocean County and produced an estimated wind gust of 60 mph in Tuckerton at 1:35 am EDT on the 30th.

Thunderstorm Wind in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 30-JUN-12 00:40:00 to 30-JUN-12 00:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUCKERTON
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An intense cluster of thunderstorms tracked through southern Ocean County and produced a measured wind gust of 81 mph at the Tuckerton Weather Flow mesonet station at 1:40 am EDT on the 30th.