Tornado Watch Issued In Philly Region

A tornado watch has been issued in the greater Philadelphia region and nearby areas Thursday night until 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service says that "a couple" of tornados are possible, along with isolated, ping pong ball-sized hail.

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Wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour are likely, and could cause damage to homes, unsecured items in yards, and power lines.

The watch covers all of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Bucks counties, along with South Jersey and Delaware.

Storms are likely to "intensify" between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

Residents should monitor conditions carefully in case warnings are issued.

"If you receive a tornado warning or see or hear a tornado, move immediately to take shelter in the lowest level of a substantial structure," the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety said. "If no basement is available, go to an interior room away from windows and doors."

Significant rainfall is also possible, with as much as three inches of rain falling in some areas per hour. In that case, flash flooding is likely.