Deadly Storm Slams Central Jersey, Leaving 3 Dead and Widespread Damage
PLAINFIELD, N.J. (WABC) – A powerful line of severe thunderstorms tore through Central Jersey on Thursday evening, killing at least three people and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Authorities confirmed that one woman died in North Plainfield and two men lost their lives in Plainfield after trees fell onto their vehicles during the storm. North Plainfield Mayor Lawrence La Ronde identified the woman as a Middlesex County resident who had pulled over on Greenbrook Road. A massive tree, tangled in electrical wires, crashed down on her vehicle.
“I saw the tree on the car, and I realized the whole sidewalk had come up. It was very chaotic,” said local resident Michelle Smith. “We realized with the conditions of the storm and the size of that tree that most likely the person had been deceased.”
In Plainfield, 79-year-old Rocco Sansone of North Plainfield and 25-year-old Brian Ernesto Valladares, a Plainfield resident originally from El Salvador, were killed when a tree crushed their car on Myrtle Avenue. Emergency crews found the victims after the storm cleared around 7 p.m. Despite rescue efforts, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
State of Emergency Declared
Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp declared a state of emergency after more than 80 trees toppled across the city, many taking down power lines and blocking roads. Homes and vehicles were crushed, and some residences were deemed structurally unsafe.
“Work is already underway to clean up the mess, but it won’t be quick,” said Donna Lynn, a resident who returned to find a tree had crashed through the roof of her home office — where she would have been working had she not taken the day off. “We always had a fear that it would someday do what it did… I’m just glad we’re safe.”
Nearby Dunellen has also declared a local state of emergency.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
The storm knocked out power to more than 32,000 customers across northern New Jersey:
- Middlesex County: 10,578 outages
- Union County: 8,273 outages
- Somerset County: 3,084 outages
In Plainfield, officials expected most power to be restored by 10 p.m. Thursday night. Some areas remain without service due to extensive damage.
Massive, decades-old trees were uprooted at intersections like Hillside Avenue, and one vehicle was reportedly thrown into the air by strong winds.
Fourth of July Plans Cancelled
Due to the storm, several Independence Day events were cancelled or postponed, including:
- Plainfield’s parade, concert, and fireworks
- Closure of Cedar Brook Park for cleanup
Governor Urges Caution
Governor Phil Murphy issued a statement urging residents to stay inside and avoid downed trees, power lines, and burning transformers.
“I have been briefed on the severe thunderstorm and heavy winds that hit Central Jersey this evening and resulted in fatalities,” Murphy posted on X. “If you’re in the area, please stay inside and stay safe.”
Cleanup efforts are ongoing, but full recovery is expected to take days.
