Severe thunderstorm warning issued for southern Cumberland County, gusts to 60 mph

A severe thunderstorm warning put southern Cumberland County in the path of a fast-moving line of storms Wednesday, with the National Weather Service warning of 60 mph wind gusts, penny-sized hail, and possible damage to roofs, siding, trees and power lines.

National Weather Service Mount Holly issued the alert at 11:58 a.m. EDT and set it to expire at 1 p.m. EDT. Radar showed the storm about 7 miles northeast of Dover Base Housing, or 8 miles east of Dover, at 11:57 a.m., moving east at 40 mph. The warning also covered southwestern Atlantic County, most of Cape May County and central Kent County in Delaware.

In Cumberland County, Millville was specifically listed among the places in the storm’s path, along with nearby South Jersey shore communities including Ocean City, Wildwood Crest, Sea Isle City and Cape May Court House. The weather service’s warning said the threat could bring sudden wind damage and enough debris to interrupt travel and knock out power.

The National Weather Service’s Wednesday weather story said damaging winds were the main concern for the afternoon and early evening, with some thunderstorms capable of turning locally severe. Residents were advised to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building until the storm passed. The weather service also asked the public to report storm damage once it was safe, including the time, location and a nearby road or intersection.

A second severe thunderstorm warning was issued shortly before 1 p.m. for southeastern Atlantic County and northeastern Cape May County, effective until 1:15 p.m., a sign that the storm threat was shifting quickly east. For Cumberland County, that meant the worst of the weather could come and go within a short window, but the risk of strong wind, falling limbs and scattered outages remained immediate until the warning expired.