NJ Governor Phil Murphy Addresses Severe Flooding and Fatalities After Heavy Rain

Severe Weather Impact in New Jersey

• ⚠️ Governor Phil Murphy addressed the severe weather that hit New Jersey last night, noting significant damage and two fatalities in Plainfield from a car swept away.
• 🎯 Union County and Somerset County experienced the biggest impact, with damage assessment ongoing.
• ⚡ The event was primarily a flooding event, not a power outage event, with fewer than 3,000 outages reported.

Infrastructure and Transportation Disruptions

• 🚆 NJ Transit is operating at full capacity, with only one track on the coastal line needing repair.
• 🛣️ Route 22 remains closed between Union and North Plainfield due to road buckling and significant damage in at least four areas.
• 🚗 Numerous local roads are also affected by damage.

State of Emergency and Federal Support

• 🚨 A state of emergency was declared for the entire state due to widespread weather impact.
• 🤝 The White House has been contacted, and the state is assessing eligibility for federal support.
• 🗣️ Senators Booker and Kim are among the delegation members who have reached out to offer assistance.

Community Impact and Resilience

• 🏘️ Several communities, including Scotch Plains, Union, Plainfield, North Plainfield, Berkeley Heights, and areas in Somerset, are facing significant challenges and potential displacement.
• 🙏 Governor Murphy urged prayers for the families of those who lost their lives and for those displaced from their homes.
• 🌱 The governor linked the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather events to the need for environmental stability and stewardship, highlighting the role of initiatives like the greenway in strengthening environmental resilience.