Christie: Give South Jersey 'Disaster Declaration' After Thunderstorms, Tornado-Like 'Macroburst'

Gov. Chris Christie has asked President Obama to give four South Jersey counties a “disaster declaration” after a severe thunderstorm and a tornado-like “macroburst” ripped through the area last month.

In a letter to Obama, Christie noted that the June 23 thunderstorms and straight-line winds caused power disruptions and structure damage throughout South Jersey.

The National Weather Service also says a downburst, a collection of hurricane-force winds that is often confused with a tornado, slammed a section of Gloucester County on June 23 in the middle of a damaging, severe thunderstorm.

A downburst can pack the punch of a tornado but without the hard-driving, spiraling winds.

Christie asked that federal assistance be provided to the following counties: Atlantic, Camden, Burlington and Gloucester. He estimated that the damage is at least $15 million.

“I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected county and local governments,” he wrote.

The NWS released a report after doing a survey of the damage at the Gloucester County scene that said the downburst - specifically, a “macroburst” - pounded the region with 85-mph winds.

The report said “straight-line” - not spiraling - winds snapped poles, downed power lines and toppled trees and debris in East Greenwich Township, making many roads impassable.

The most significant damage occurred along East Cohawkin Road, near Pine Mill Road and along Kings Highway. Private residences also suffered minor shingle damage, and there was a report of a blown-over shed in the Clarksboro section.