South Jersey is catching its breath after a tornado watch was officially lifted just after midnight on Friday, May 31, but residents and travelers should remain vigilant into the early hours of Saturday due to continued risks from flooding and strong winds.
Flood concerns through Saturday morning
The National Weather Service has placed Camden, Gloucester, Salem, and northwestern Burlington counties under a flood watch until 8 a.m. Saturday. The agency warned that excessive rainfall may still result in flash flooding, especially near rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas across the region.
A flash flood warning was already in effect earlier, through 3:45 a.m., for several towns along the Delaware River, where runoff from earlier storms is still making its way downstream. While the skies may have calmed, underground saturation and rising stream levels mean water hazards are far from over.
Strong wind gusts continue overnight
Even as the tornado threat fades, a wind advisory remains active for South Jersey from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday. Expect sustained winds between 20 to 30 mph (32 to 48 km/h), with gusts reaching up to 50 mph (80 km/h). These conditions could lead to downed tree limbs, localized power outages, and dangerous driving situations—especially for high-profile vehicles and along coastal roadways.
Event cancellations and safety measures in Wildwood
The severe weather also forced the suspension of the Morey’s Pier Beach Jam in Wildwood, a beloved camping event hosted on the beach. By Friday evening, Wildwood police advised all campers to remove tents and vacate the beach as a precaution. Updates on when the beach will reopen and when the event can safely resume will be posted on the department’s social media channels.
Regional weather effects beyond New Jersey
This now-expired tornado watch had a wide footprint, previously including parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. While no significant tornadoes were reported overnight in South Jersey, the larger storm system remains a multi-state hazard, capable of producing damaging winds and flooding rains throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Stay alert and keep an eye on local weather alerts through the rest of the weekend.
