Storms in New Jersey result in 3 fatalities and leave thousands without electricity.

Severe thunderstorms that swept through New Jersey on Thursday resulted in at least three fatalities and left thousands without power, as reported by local officials. Governor Phil Murphy later confirmed the devastating impact of the storms, particularly in Central Jersey, via a social media post where he advised residents in affected areas to remain indoors and take precautions against downed trees and power lines.

The storms particularly devastated the city of Plainfield, which has a population of approximately 55,000 residents and is situated about 30 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan. On Friday morning, officials from Plainfield announced that two individuals died as a result of the storm. According to the statement, Rocco Sansone, 79, and Brian Ernesto Valladares, 25, tragically lost their lives when a tree fell on their vehicle during the severe weather. Despite the rapid response of emergency personnel, both men were pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 7 p.m. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp expressed his condolences and offered support to the victims’ families, emphasizing the profound tragedy and the stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

Additionally, a third storm-related fatality was confirmed in North Plainfield. A 44-year-old woman from Middlesex was killed when a large tree, along with part of the sidewalk, uprooted and collapsed on her stopped vehicle on Greenbrook Road. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the site of the incident.

In response to the widespread devastation, a state of emergency was declared in Plainfield, leading to the cancellation of several planned events, including the city’s Fourth of July parade, concert, and fireworks display. Reports indicated that over 80 downed trees were documented across Plainfield, damaging multiple vehicles and exacerbating the impact of the storm. Additionally, significant power outages affected residential neighborhoods and apartment complexes throughout the region.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 18,000 customers across New Jersey remained without electricity, according to data from poweroutage.us. The aftermath of this severe weather event challenges the region as communities work to recover from the immediate effects and assess the overall damage. Local officials continue to prioritize public safety and provide necessary support to those affected by this tragic event.