Torrential rains, powerful wind gusts, vivid lightning, house-shaking thunder and 1-inch sized hail blasted through Southern Ocean County early Thursday evening, July 16. And on the Island it appears Surf City got the worst of the storm, which hit the area between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and ended between 8 and 8:30.

Matt Gerbush, assistant state climatologist, said rainfall totaled 4.37 inches in the borough, resulting in severe flash flooding.