1,500 Lose Power, Trees Tumble Onto Homes During Thunderstorm In North Jersey

NORTH JERSEY — A thunderstorm swept through Bergen and Hudson counties just before 7 p.m. on Friday night, dropping hail and causing at least two trees to fall onto homes.

The National Weather Service had issued a special weather statement after 6 p.m., saying the storm could bring 30 MPH winds and pea-sized hail to Bergen and Hudson counties. After rain drenched the area, the agency issued a flood advisory until 8:15 p.m.

In Hackensack, several trees fell on Poplar Avenue. One tree fell onto a house, damaging the roof, said Police Captain Gregory Zisa. There were no reported injuries.

Another tree on that street snapped a phone pole and damaged cars, Zisa said.

"We have a number of wires down and a few tree limbs that fell," he said. "We can expect some power outages due to the storm, but I can't really provide a possible time frame on power restoration."

More than 1,500 homes in Bergen County were still without power at 10:30 p.m., according to Orange & Rockland and PSE&G.

By the next morning, around 400 were still without power, mainly in Hackensack, according to PSE&G. Restoration was expected by 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service also reported that a tree fell onto a house on Forest Avenue in Ramsey.

"If you are in the NYC metro or in Bergen/Hudson County and you saw any trees and wires down, or any damage, please let us know," the NWS posted on Facebook.

In response to questions about a possible tornado, the agency said there was no indication of wind rotation, only straight-line winds.

The traffic site 511NJ posted several crashes and downed wires in the state, including a crash on the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, with two right lanes blocked.

Hail was seen in in Hudson County, followed by a rainbow over the Manhattan skyline.

One social media user saw a bright side, posting, "RAINBOW OVER NYC WHICH MEANS KNICKS IN 5."