Central Jersey Storms Turn Deadly: Fatalities Reported, Widespread Damage

Storm Impact and Fatalities

• ⚠️ Governor Phil Murphy confirmed that severe thunderstorms and powerful winds in Central Jersey resulted in fatalities.
• ⚡ The storms caused significant damage across several neighborhoods, including Plainfield, with trees and power lines downed.

Damage in Plainfield

• 🌳 A massive tree at the intersection of Hillside and Putnam Avenue fell, blocking streets and causing damage to a nearby home.
• 🚨 The mayor of Plainfield declared a state of emergency due to the widespread damage and power outages.
• 🚓 Police worked to ensure public safety by rerouting traffic away from downed power lines and debris.

Widespread Outages and Damage

• 💡 Thousands of customers, primarily in New Jersey, were left without power, impacting homes without air conditioning.
• 🏘️ Similar scenes of damage, including snapped trees and littered streets, were reported in Middlesex County, specifically in Edison and Metuchen.

Eyewitness Accounts

• 🗣️ Residents described the suddenness and intensity of the storm, with winds so powerful they felt like a "giant walking past" and rain like a "car wash."
• 🏠 Families witnessed trees falling onto houses and cars, describing the situation as "insane" and "crazy."

Meteorological Analysis

• 📊 Radar analysis showed an "inflow notch" and "overshooting tops" indicating storm tops reaching nearly 40,000 feet.
• 💨 The storms produced damaging winds estimated at 70 to 80 mph between 6:00 PM and 6:20 PM, driven by a cold front.