TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON — Toni “Stormy” Marino, the social media weather personality who posts daily updates for North Jersey and has built a following of more than 16,000 on Facebook, is recovering after a serious fall on black ice that led to emergency surgery and a move to a local rehabilitation facility, according to her family.
Marino suffered what her family described as a “traumatic accident” Friday, Feb. 27, after slipping on black ice. Her twin sister said the fall caused major injuries, including a fractured left hip.
Friday night, Marino underwent emergency surgery for a total hip replacement. While the surgery was successful, her family said she faces a long recovery that will include rehabilitation and time away from work.
Supporters have responded with an outpouring of comments and well-wishes across Marino’s social media pages, where she has become a familiar, upbeat presence for many. Marino describes her operation as community-based weather coverage—“We are just enthusiast not meteorologist. Keep it kind. No negativity”—and her posts often include casual “morning reports,” including recent snow measurements taken in the Township of Washington using what she calls a “bedazzled snow yardstick,” along with lively back-and-forth exchanges with followers asking about commutes and local conditions.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Marino’s twin sister to help with expenses during her recovery. In the fundraiser message, the family said Marino will be unable to work for an extended period and asked for help with “mounting medical expenses and household bills.”
In a posted update March 5, Marino’s sister, Grace Nappi, said Marino has now been transferred to a local rehabilitation facility.
“Please know she is reading everyone’s comments and good well wishes,” Grace wrote, adding that Marino is not yet able to respond. “She wants me to let you know she loves you all very much.”
The family said another update will be shared in the coming days.