Strong winds collapse homes, topple construction crane at NJ casino site; AC officer injured

High winds topple houses, construction crane in NJ

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Officials say high winds and several inches of rain in Atlantic City caused at least two houses to collapse, toppled a crane at a casino construction site and sent broken glass and other debris raining down over a six-block area, leaving a police officer injured.

Atlantic City police Capt. Bill McKnight says strong winds and rain Saturday knocked down the houses and damaged several other homes and buildings in the seaside resort. The National Weather Service says a wind gust of 59 mph was recorded.

McKnight said about four stories of glass from a corner of the under-construction Revel Casino were blown out, and a towering crane on the construction site was knocked over.

He said construction material was scattered for blocks and officer Brian Hurley was injured when debris crashed through the driver’s side window of his cruiser. McKnight says the officer’s injuries weren’t considered life-threatening. No other injures were reported.