One person was killed in New Jersey when a fallen tree struck a car as a powerful storm moved through the tri-state area Wednesday evening.
The fatality came as the tri-state area was bracing for an onslaught of strong to severe thunderstorms, which could potentially last into the weekend.
The township of Manchester bore considerable damage from the storm, including the fatality, Mayor Michael Fressola told NBC New York. The victim, identified only as an older man, was not from the Ocean County township, Fressola said.
He was driving past the Manchester Fire Station on Ridgeway Road when a tree snapped and slammed into him, Manchester Police said.
The storm brought "very heavy winds and hail the size of marbles" Fressola said. "It bit both sides of town, and it hit it very, very hard."
Several trees were knocked down in the storm, including one that destroyed a home, according to Mayor Fressola.
Tornado warnings had been issued earlier in the evening for Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, Warren, Monnmouth and Ocean counties. All had expired by 6 p.m.
Local
A cutoff low pressure system camped out in the Midwest and its associated frontal boundaries will keep the tri-state at risk for severe weather for the next few days.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of the area under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There is potential for damaging winds, frequent lightning, hail, and flooding with some heavy downpours.
With winds expected up to 60 miles an hour, New York City's Department of Buildings advised property owners and contractors to secure construction sites.
Better weather is expected late Saturday and Sunday.
Stay updated on the latest weather forecast at NBCNewYork.com's Weather Center.
