Parts of New Jersey are taking a beating from powerful winds and heavy rain Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch from Middlesex County south until noon. Hail and wind gusts of 70 mph are possible. Forecasters say conditions are favorable to produce tornados in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties. Cape May County has been getting pounded by thunderstorms. There’s also a coastal flood advisory in effect for Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and southeast Burlington counties.

Forecasters say strong northeast winds are expected to cause minor tidal flooding around the time of high tide, which is midday.

There’s also a high risk for rip currents from Sandy Hook to Cape May. AP