A Fourth of July nightmare unfolded in central New Jersey Thursday night as deadly storms ripped through the region with hurricane-force winds, toppling massive trees and leaving three drivers crushed to death in separate tragedies.
Authorities in Plainfield and North Plainfield say a ferocious line of thunderstorms, packing gusts as strong as 80 mph, blew through just after 6 p.m., snapping power lines, flattening homes — and turning everyday roads into death traps.
A Deadly Drive Turns Fatal
In Plainfield, a 25-year-old man and a 79-year-old man were driving together when a tree — described by officials as “enormous and mature” — came crashing down onto their vehicle. The impact killed both instantly and knocked down nearby power lines, plunging parts of the city into darkness.
“They never stood a chance,” said one emergency responder at the scene, speaking under condition of anonymity. “By the time we arrived, the car was crushed flat. It was surreal.”
Storm Refuge Turns Tragic
Just a few miles away in North Plainfield, a woman who had pulled her vehicle to the side of Greenbrook Road to wait out the fast-moving storm was also killed. According to Mayor Michael Giordano Jr., the woman had tried to stay safe — but a towering tree uprooted by the wind came down directly on top of her car.
Michelle Smith, a local resident who witnessed the aftermath, told ABC 7, “I saw the tree on the car and realized the sidewalk had been lifted like a rug. People were trying to look inside, but it was clear — with the size of that tree and how bad the storm was — no one could’ve survived that.”
Officials have not yet released the names of the three victims.
Powerless and Paralyzed
More than 20,000 homes and businesses were left without power by Friday morning, with Middlesex County hit the hardest, according to PowerOutage.us. Utility crews have been working around the clock to clear downed lines and restore electricity, but progress has been slow due to the sheer scale of the devastation.
The National Weather Service recorded over two dozen official storm reports, with gusts between 60 and 80 mph throughout the region. In addition to the deaths, dozens of properties sustained major damage.
The North Plainfield Fire Department confirmed that “multiple homes were severely compromised” by falling trees and debris, with one resident calling the scene “worse than Hurricane Sandy.”
4th of July Canceled Amid Ruins
Both Plainfield and North Plainfield remain under a state of emergency, with road closures, power outages, and recovery operations still underway. In a rare and somber move, North Plainfield officials canceled all Independence Day celebrations.
“The devastating storm that struck our city has left deep scars, widespread damage, and thousands still without power,” the city said in an official statement. “In light of this tragedy, we cannot, in good conscience, proceed with our Fourth of July parade, concert, or fireworks.”
“This is not a time for celebration. It is time to regroup and focus all our energy on recovery.”
A City in Mourning
As recovery crews dig out and families mourn, many are asking how such destruction could unfold so quickly. Officials are urging residents to remain indoors and avoid damaged areas, especially where downed trees and live wires still pose a threat.
“It was like a freight train,” said one resident of Myrtle Avenue, where one fatality occurred. “One minute it was calm, and the next, everything was coming down.”
With emergency crews still combing through storm-damaged areas, officials warn the death toll could rise.
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