Tornado warnings issued for parts of New York, New Jersey as severe storms move through

Radar-indicated tornado warnings were issued Tuesday afternoon for parts of New York and New Jersey as severe thunderstorms moved across the region.

The National Weather Service urged residents in the warned areas to take shelter immediately, warning that the storms could produce tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, torrential rain and localized flash flooding.

Tornado warning remains in effect for Sullivan County

A tornado warning remained in effect until 3:15 p.m. Tuesday for northern Sullivan County in New York.

At 2:42 p.m., the National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Parksville, or over Liberty, moving northeast at about 20 mph. Another rotating thunderstorm was located near Kenoza Lake and Jeffersonville.

Communities in the storm's path included:

• Neversink
• Willowemoc
• Briscoe
• Grahamsville

The strongest storms could also produce quarter-size hail.

Tornado warning issued for parts of New Jersey

A separate tornado warning was issued until 3:15 p.m. for central Bergen County and eastern Passaic County in northeastern New Jersey.

At 2:48 p.m., radar indicated rotation within a severe thunderstorm near Boonton that was moving east at about 25 mph.

The storm was expected to move near:

• Wayne
• Paterson

An additional tornado warning remained in effect for parts of east-central Morris County, where the National Weather Service warned of a tornado, quarter-size hail and torrential rainfall capable of causing flash flooding.

Residents urged to take shelter

The National Weather Service advised anyone in the warning areas to take cover immediately by moving to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and staying away from windows.

Officials also warned motorists not to drive through flooded roadways and to avoid sheltering beneath highway overpasses during a tornado.

The warnings were based on radar-indicated rotation, meaning a tornado had not been confirmed but could develop quickly.

Tornado watch in effects for other parts of NY

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch in Upton on Tuesday, July 21, from 2:08 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.. This warning applies to Fairfield, CT, New Haven, CT, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland and Westchester counties.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tornado warnings issued for parts of New York, New Jersey as severe storms move through