The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a tornado warning for Central Jersey’s Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

Part of the warning alerted residents to go to their basements or first floors of their homes.

The exact words of the alert:

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Tornado Warning for... 
Eastern Hunterdon County in northwestern New Jersey... 
Northwestern Somerset County in northern New Jersey... 
 
* Until 345 PM EDT. 
 
* At 317 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 
was located over Flemington, or 12 miles west of Somerville, moving 
northeast at 25 mph. 
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. 
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
damage is likely. 
 
* Locations impacted include... 
Somerville, Bridgewater, Flemington, Lebanon, Cloverhill, White 
House Station and Raritan. 
This includes the following highways... 
Interstate 78 in New Jersey between mile markers 21 and 31. 
Interstate 287 in New Jersey between mile markers 16 and 21. 
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED 
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN