Severe storms leave trail of destruction across parts of New Jersey

Christie Ileto Image
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Severe storms leave trail of destruction across parts of NJ
A severe storm swept through parts of the Delaware Valley as reported by Christie Ileto during Action News at 11 on August 19, 2019.

MOORESTOWN, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A severe storm swept through parts of the Delaware Valley on Monday afternoon leaving behind a trail of destruction.

The Action Cam was on Woodland Avenue in Pennsauken, New Jersey where a large tree came crashing down on a car.

"We heard a loud boom and I heard the tree topple when I came out front," said Barry Preston.

Trees landed on Preston's now totaled SUV.

Raw video shows damage after severe weather in parts of Burlington County, NJ on August 19, 2019.

It was a similar sight in Moorestown, Burlington County where Chopper 6 found many trees uprooted.

Along Pine Lane, down live wires were sparking due to the storm.

No injuries have been reported.

In North Philadelphia, an Action News viewer captured a car going up in flames after lightning struck near Hancock and Diamond streets.

"Lightning hit the pole," said the resident while recording dramatic cell phone video of a car catching fire from live wires.

"It was like a big boom and then fireworks," said Laverne Scott.

John Scott, a retired Philadelphia firefighter says his neighbor's car was engulfed in minutes.

"I stood in front of the door the whole time and watched as the fire progressed. And by the time they started putting it out, this was already on fire," he said.

Firefighters in Cherry Hill, NJ are also investigating whether lightning struck the side of a townhome.

The humidity-fueled storms have since moved off the coast but the heat remains.

A Heat Advisory remains in effect until Tuesday, not expiring until 8 p.m.

Counties affected are those at the center of the region near I-95 and all of SE Pennsylvania. Highs will be in the low to mid-90s, but it will feel like 100 or higher at the height of the afternoon heating.