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Hurricane Ida aftermath: Images show storm wreaks havoc in New Jersey's Mullica Hill

'The devastating tornado that ripped through the Mullica Hill community and surrounding area tonight,' NJ Guv Phil Murphy tweeted

New Jersey's Mullica Hill bore witness to the worst aftermath of Hurricane Ida as a tornado wreaked havoc in the region overnight. Shocking visuals have surfaced from the ground which shows extensive areas where the tornado-ravaged homes and turned everything into ruins. There have been unconfirmed reports that the tornado might have been an F3 which has an average wind speed of 158-206 mph. According to BJWX, at least nine homes were completely damaged leaving many families in a state of devastation.

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least four tornadoes from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, one of which already caused catastrophic damage in Mullica Hill. In some regions, flash flooding and consequent power outages have been reported as an aftermath of the tornadoes. A "large, extremely dangerous" tornado was also confirmed in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania a little before 6 pm. In Washington Crossing, New Jersey, another tornado was confirmed while a moderate third one happened in Woodbury, New Jersey. A fourth tornado was also spotted in the Burlington County area causing extensive damage to homes and buildings. 

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"Governors in Pennsylvania and New Jersey opened up emergency operations centers to respond to life-threatening storm conditions. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy pleaded with residents not to go outside for the next 12 to 15 hours until the storm cleared the state. Gov. Tom Wolf signed a disaster emergency proclamation Tuesday night in anticipation of the storm," NBC Philadelphia reported. 

Shocked and traumatized residents of Mullica Hill, many of whom had their entire lives uprooted overnight by the tornado, have shared snapshots of the damage on the ground. "Just spoke with Harrison Township Mayor Lou Manzo about the devastating tornado that ripped through the Mullica Hill community and surrounding area tonight. We’re closely monitoring the situation and will do whatever is needed to support the response & recovery in the days ahead," NJ Governor Phil Murphy tweeted. 

Editor Justin Hendrix shared, "Damage in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, after a tornado moved through the area following remnants of Hurricane Ida." "Praying for Mullica Hill… my neighbor to my hometown. I hope no one was injured," a Twitter user wrote. 

"I have a med student staying with me and the tornado warning totally freaked her out - but I told her not to worry, we don’t get home wrecking storms in NJ. Then NJ proved me wrong! Mullica Hill - only about 20 minutes from me - was rocked! Took a couple houses out even!" another shared. "Mullica Hill was hit bad tonight by the tornado," NJ.com reporter Chris Franklin shared. 

A GoFundMe worth $500,000 has been launched by Gabriella Hart and Carly Poley whose best friend in Mullica Hill lost everything to the tornado. "Hi my name is Gabriella and I am starting this go fund me for my best friend and her neighborhood, as everyone knows a tornado has struck New Jersey but touched down in Mullica hill. Willow oak and turtle creek have been destroyed leaving people's homes in half, roofless, and some injured. In this terrible time for them, we ask for you to donate to help them heal and ease the stress as this process goes on. This go fund me is for willow oak and turtle creek only. Others will be created but this is the most damage we have seen," read the description of the fundraiser.