Weather: Authorities investigating possible tornado in N.J. on New Year’s Eve

The National Weather Service is investigating whether a tornado touched down in Gloucester County Tuesday night after residents reported downed trees and damaged pools and fences from strong winds as harsh storms raked across the state on New Year’s Eve.

Clayton residents living near Fries Mill Road reported heavy wind damage including downed trees, damaged decks and fences, and said the winds sounded like a freight train, Gloucester County’s Office of Emergency Management said in a Facebook post around 10 p.m. Tuesday night.

Comments under the post described fence posts ripped out of the ground, decks destroyed and yards left disheveled from the winds. One person said they live in the area and called 911 to report the storm said her pool was “spun into a twisted up pile of metal.”

The area suffered brief power outages as well and no injuries were reported Tuesday night, officials from the county Office of Emergency Management said in the post.

The National Weather Service said Wednesday morning that investigation teams would be looking into the reports and collecting data to determine if a tornado touched down in the area or if the damage was caused by straight winds.

Officials said they anticipated a determination on the investigation by Wednesday afternoon.

Scattered storms with the potential for high winds were forecast for Tuesday night with some storms in South Jersey capable of producing hail, according forecasts.

High winds are expected to continue Wednesday with gusts as high as 50 mph possible later in the day, according to the weather service.