National Weather Service To Determine If Tornado Hit Ocean County

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Many parts of the Tri-State Area experienced some wild weather Wednesday evening.

The National Weather Service is trying to determine whether a tornado touched down in southern New Jersey.

AccuWeather meteorologist Carl Erickson said that local law enforcement officials around Jackson Township "did report seeing a funnel cloud." However, he said there has been no confirmation of an actual touchdown.

A severe storm toppled dozens of trees like match sticks in Manchester Township in Ocean County.

Two of the trees smashed a moving car, killing the 69-year-old driver. Nearby, a 74-year-old woman narrowly escaped with her life when another tree toppled over on top of her house.

According to Manchester Police Sergeant James Komsa "between 40 and 60 homes" are estimated to have received "minor to moderate damage." He said two residents were displaced as a result of the damage.

"Our communications center received numerous calls, pretty much simultaneously, during the height of the storm regarding fallen trees, limbs, etc., on several of the homes in our township," Komsa said.

Earlier Wednesday evening, tornado warnings were issued for Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Ocean and Monmouth counties in New Jersey.