NWS investigates tornado that left 60 people homeless and damaged more than 100 properties

National Weather Service confirms tornado in Mercer County, New Jersey

February 21, 2023

LAWRENCE, WINDSOR WEST, NJ (MERCER). Around 3:40 p.m. this afternoon (February 21, 2023), the Mount Holly National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for a large portion of Mercer County, with the warning extending to parts of Monmouth. and Middlesex County.

Shortly after a tornado warning was issued, Lawrence Township Police, EMS and firefighters responded to Quackerbridge Road from a person reportedly stuck in a car with live wires on the vehicle. Upon arrival, the man was able to get out of the vehicle unharmed.

Firefighters were quickly transferred to the village of Lawrence Square, where several buildings were damaged and trees were knocked down throughout the area. At least two dozen apartments have been declared uninhabitable by Lawrence Township officials. The Red Cross was called upon to create a shelter.

Moments after the Lawrence storm damage was reported, West Windsor police began receiving 9-1-1 calls about wires and trees in the Edinburgh Road and Conover Road area. Several trees crashed into houses, and power lines were cut in several streets in the area.

Tomorrow, the National Weather Service will send survey teams to confirm any tornado activity, and a statement will be released later in the day whether it was indeed a tornado hitting the area.

West Windsor Police said the WWPD Communications Center received numerous calls at 3:44 p.m. in connection with a significant weather event. The following happened: road closures (as listed below), power lines cut, trees in houses.

**CLOSED ROAD AREAS**:
1) Conover Road – the entire section
2) Edinburgh Road – from New Village to Old Trenton Road.
3) Village Road – from Old Trenton Road to Twp. Line (East Windsor, pos./Robbinsville, pos.)

**Approximately (10) houses damaged by fallen trees.

The operational headquarters was opened. Chief Garofalo, his command staff and the World War Fire and Emergency Department met. Stations 43 and 44 went door to door to check on affected residences. The officers were helping the community at large with fallen trees, road closures, downed power lines. Assume that all broken wires are energized.

Dr. Aderhold, director of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Schools, is in constant contact with Chief Garofalo. All buses are counted and late buses run on schedule. Dr. Aderhold’s staff continues to assess the affected school buildings.

There were no reports of casualties as a result of this weather event in the town of West Windsor. Damage assessment is ongoing. PSEG has employees at the scene. JCPL has been contacted. The WW Department of Public Works took part in clearing the roads from fallen trees. Events at Dutch Neck Estates (south end) and Jefferson Park generated a lot of activity around the event. More updates to follow.

West Windsor Police Update:

* Approximately 300 PSEG customers affected by the service
*Approximately 100-500 JCPL customers affected service
**Most PSEG/JCPL clients should be back by 12:00pm**

*Roads should be reopened by approximately 12:00 noon (exception: Village Road from Old Trenton Road to South Lane will be closed until approximately morning rush hour – plan accordingly).
* None of the residential buildings suffered structural damage.
*Approximately (100) objects affected by any damage from debris and/or fallen trees/branches.
*No casualties reported.

Chief Garofalo and Chief Lynch would like to thank the following who responded to the call to action during this event:

WWPD Communications Center, Command Headquarters, Patrol Unit, Drone Unit, Detective Bureau, and Traffic Unit
WW Fire and Emergency Services Division
Stations 43/44 and fire police
JCPL and PSEG
WW Department of Public Works
Construction Bureau VV
American Red Cross
mass media
Community as a whole

From Lawrence Township Police, Captain Joseph Lech IV:

At approximately 3:45 pm on February 21, 2023, a severe weather event occurred in the township of Lawrence, located in Mercer County, New Jersey, in the downtown area of ​​the township. The affected areas are located along the Route 1 corridor. Hail and high winds caused significant damage to the Lawrence Square Village condominium complex, commercial buildings, and several vehicles.

The Lawrence Police Department responded to the events with the help of Lawrence Township fire and emergency services.

Trees were uprooted and felled. Utility lines were shut down, resulting in the closure of Route 1 in both directions, from Interstate 295 to Bakers Basin Road. Downed trees also closed Quakerbridge Road in both directions. About 60 residents were displaced. The Red Cross and Volunteers of America are on site helping to find temporary housing for internally displaced people.

Police and fire departments from neighboring agencies in Mercer County responded and assisted with road closures and securing the scene. The degree of damage and possible dangers are best assessed during daylight hours. Residents are being reminded to be extremely careful and stay away from downed wires. Drivers are asked to avoid the Quakerbridge Road area until the hazards are cleared. There were no reports of casualties from the hurricane.

Contacted the National Weather Service. They are aware of a weather event that occurred near the town of Lawrence, and they indicate that it may have been a tornado.

A better assessment can be made during daylight hours to better identify the event.

Route 1 is open to traffic in both directions. Quakerbridge Road remains closed in both directions due to trees crossing the road.

The Red Cross and America’s Volunteers are at the scene assisting displaced residents. Any resident who needs assistance should contact Lawrence Police or the Red Cross at 1-800.

Mercer County Park Commission:

The tornado touched down at Village Road and Quakerbridge Road around 4:00 pm today. As seen in the photographs, it caused significant damage to homes in the area and the Mercer Oaks West golf course. Fortunately, no golfers or Park Commission employees were hurt, and no buildings were damaged. However, we lost a lot of trees, mainly in the western direction, and the storm knocked down up to 100 trees.

Our woodworking team will start cleaning in the morning. As of tomorrow, Mercer Oaks East Run will be open for play, West Run will be closed and will remain closed until cleanup is complete. We expect this to take the rest of the week and possibly next week. Details of course closures will be posted on our golf and county website.

We are receiving reports from across the county of wind damage, downed trees and building damage. Our Mercer County Highway Crews are on their way to help with the cleanup, and I ask you to stay out of the road if possible. Attached is a video of the damage at the Mercer Oaks West Windsor golf course, where, fortunately, no one was hurt. – Brian M. Hughes, County Executive

*Updates will be available as they become available.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the area at the time of the damage. National Weather Service graphics

Screenshot of the Radar Now app showing the National Weather Service’s tornado warning window during a hurricane.

Here is a map showing where survey crews are to survey tomorrow. Details, definitions and any potential damage ratings will be updated late tomorrow on social media and in the Public Statement on our website as more information becomes available.

The blue line represents the path of destruction from this weather event. According to reporters on the ground, the damage starts near the village of Lowrenc Square, runs through West Windsor, and ends at the border between East Windsor and Robbinsville. Google picture