Major damage across areas of South Jersey following afternoon storms

The hum of chainsaws filled the air in South Jersey as a fast moving Wednesday afternoon storm caused some major damage across the region.

At the Riverton Country Club in Burlington County dozens of downed trees littered the greens and fairways of the private club.

"It's like a war zone through here. This is a beautiful hole number 8. Going down to number 2, there must be 20-25 trees down on the ground. It's unbelievable what it looks like" said club member John Mayer.

Smartphone video of the storm was taken by workers at the Club from a maintenance shed. The group of workers recorded the fast moving storm as they huddled inside for safety. The video shows the violent winds tearing down tree branches on the 7th green.

"Unbelievable amount of wind. And we all just took cover" said club Assistant Superintendent Dan Baker.
Minutes after the storm the crew was surveying the damage including a tree falling into the shed where they were seeking shelter. Just feet away 3 cars were crushed by the weight of tree branches. Dozens of down trees littered the once finely manicured course.

"It was just unbelievable I have been here for 11 years and I never seen anything this bad" added Baker.

He says winds were bending the hole flag pins to the ground. Members tell us they've been told the course will be closed until further notice.

Many South Jersey resident had no idea a storm hit until they got home and saw their properties in shambles. Ken Smith who lives near the golf course came home to find 3 large downed trees in his yard. We was busy all night working the chain saw to start cleaning up the mess.

"One guy had his tree go through his house. They were down taking it down earlier.. Trees just everywhere" he says.

In Atlantic City, Fox 29 Weather Authority estimates winds reached up to 70 miles an hour down the shore. The high winds ripped the roof off an an apartment building on St. James Place and the Boardwalk. The entire building was evacuated as a precaution. There were no injuries.

In Cherry Hill another massive tree fell on to the Willowdale Drive home of a couple who was out of town. The damage so bad local officials told the couple not to stay in their home. A neighbor says the storm came and went within minutes.

"You worry for the sake of god the tree could have fallen in the direction of our house..and we would have substantial damage like my neighbor has" says neighbor.

PSE&G says as of 10pm Wednesday night there were about 5,000 customers still without power but anticipated most customers would have power restored by morning.