A popular beach camp-out event in Cape May County was postponed Friday evening due to threatening weather, including the potential for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes, officials said.

The Wildwood Police Department ordered all campers off the beach and all tents to be taken down for the Morey’s Pier Beach Jam event as the region was under a tornado watch Friday night.

“Due to the impending threat of severe weather and the tornado watch issued for our area by the National Weather Service, the Morey’s Beach Jam Event has been temporarily suspended,” Wildwood police said in a statement posted on social media.

A tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service for 10 counties in central and southern New Jersey along with parts of eastern Pennsylvania and all of Delaware Friday night.

The watch, effective through midnight, was issued as strong thunderstorms have swept across areas south and west of New Jersey. Those storm cells, along with scattered rain showers, could dump as much as 1 inch of rain per hour, posing a threat of flash flooding, forecasters said

The popular Beach Jam event was scheduled to take place all weekend with activities, a barbecue and camping on the beach Friday and Saturday night.

Campers were expected to set up their tents Friday night between Schellenger and Spicer Avenues from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to the planning documents for the event.

Representatives from Morey’s Pier did not immediately return a request for comment.

Police said they would announce when patrons could reenter the beach for the camp-out.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at [email protected].