Plainfield, NJ Cancels Fourth of July Due to Deadly Storm Damage

Storm Devastation in Plainfield

• ⛈️ A deadly storm on Thursday night caused widespread damage in Plainfield, New Jersey, leading to a state of emergency.
• ⚡ The storm toppled dozens of trees, causing power outages for thousands of residents and halting July 4th celebrations.
• 💨 Residents described the wind as powerful, comparing it to a hurricane or tornado.

Fatalities and Damage

• 🌳 A large tree crushed a parked car and struck a passing car, resulting in the deaths of two men: 25-year-old Brian Ernesto Valaderas and 79-year-old Roco Sansone.
• ⚠️ A 44-year-old woman from Middlesex also died when a falling tree hit her car as she pulled over on Greenbrook Road in North Plainfield.
• 🏠 The storm uprooted trees, damaged homes, and ripped through gas lines, with one resident noting the smell of gas near a damaged tree.

Community Response and Recovery

• 🚫 Plainfield's mayor canceled the town's Fourth of July celebrations to focus on cleanup and rebuilding efforts.
• 🛠️ The mayor stated that while there will be a time for celebration, the immediate focus must be on addressing the emergency.
• 💡 PSEG anticipates that power should be fully restored by Saturday at 11 p.m.