A powerful and destructive thunderstorm system swept across central New Jersey on Thursday evening, leaving behind a trail of devastation, widespread power outages, transportation disruptions, and confirmed fatalities. Governor Phil Murphy released a statement shortly after the storm subsided, confirming that there were multiple deaths as a result of the severe weather event, although the specific locations of these fatalities had not yet been publicly disclosed at the time of his briefing.
According to the governor, several towns bore the brunt of the storm’s impact, including Plainfield, North Plainfield, Bound Brook, and Dunellen. These areas experienced significant wind damage, with reports of downed trees, broken power lines, and even burning transformers. Residents in the affected towns were strongly advised to remain indoors and avoid any areas with fallen infrastructure or ongoing electrical hazards, as cleanup crews and utility workers continue efforts to restore safety and functionality to neighborhoods.
In Plainfield, Mayor Adrian Mapp declared a state of emergency following the storm, citing extensive damage throughout the city. Fallen trees were scattered across roadways, sidewalks, and residential properties, complicating efforts to move freely and respond quickly to urgent needs. The mayor issued a formal notice to residents, stating that the state of emergency would remain in effect until further notice and urging citizens to avoid nonessential travel and allow emergency services to perform necessary duties without interference.
Public transportation was also heavily affected. New Jersey Transit announced the temporary suspension of Raritan Valley Line rail service in both directions between Plainfield and Bound Brook due to trees that had fallen across the tracks. To mitigate inconvenience to commuters, NJ Transit deployed bus services in place of train travel while crews worked to clear the debris and assess the damage to the tracks. It remains unclear how long the rail service will remain suspended.
The storm also left a significant portion of central New Jersey without electricity. At the peak of the outages, nearly 45,000 utility customers had lost power. The Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) reported around 34,000 of these outages, while Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) reported just under 10,000. Utility companies are working around the clock to repair lines and restore service, but in many locations, access is still being obstructed by storm debris and unsafe conditions.
Residents across the region described the storm as intense, with heavy rainfall, high winds, and sudden darkness when power lines went down. Some who were outdoors during the storm sought shelter in nearby buildings, while others remained trapped in homes surrounded by downed trees. First responders were stretched across multiple towns trying to reach those in need and assess the full scope of the damage.
The incident marks another reminder of the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events, which seem to be increasing in both intensity and frequency. Local officials are urging residents to remain cautious in the aftermath, as emergency services continue assessments and repairs. Those in affected areas should monitor official alerts and avoid attempting to remove fallen power lines or trees on their own.
As the region begins to recover, further updates are expected from local and state authorities regarding the identities of the deceased, the extent of the property damage, and when full services can be restored. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay home, avoid travel unless necessary, and cooperate with emergency instructions to ensure safety as recovery efforts continue in central New Jersey.
