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Recovery Underway After Deadly Fourth of July Storms in Central New Jersey

States of emergency in Plainfield and North Plainfield have mobilized utility crews alongside local agencies under state oversight; crews are restoring power, clearing debris, supporting community recovery.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks before signing an executive order for a new clemency program that will pardon thousands of people as Newark and the nation celebrates Juneteenth on June 19, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey.
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Clouds pass over the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center as the sun sets following a storm in New York City on July 3, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.
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Overview

  • Three residents were killed when uprooted trees fell on vehicles in Plainfield and North Plainfield during the July 3–4 storms.
  • Power outages peaked at over 45,000 customers across Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties, and crews continue to restore electricity to affected neighborhoods.
  • NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line service between Plainfield and Bound Brook has resumed after fallen trees and debris were cleared from the tracks.
  • Local and state agencies, including the New Jersey State Police and ReadyNJ, are coordinating debris removal and providing assistance to displaced families.
  • The storms have highlighted vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure and renewed calls for investment in climate resilience and disaster preparedness.