Latest news with #AdrianMapp
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Plainfield, N.J. flood victims to get some relief, thanks to benefit concert. Here's more on how you can help.
Two devastating storms earlier this month wreaked havoc on communities in Plainfield, New Jersey. On Sunday, a benefit concert was held to help flood victims. City officials say the money will help those who have lost their homes and have no insurance. The sounds of music at Plainfield High School was uplifting and a much-needed tune as people filed in with their hearts full of warmth and their wallets open. City officials say so far they have raised more than $65,000 for victims of the July 3 and July 14 storms and flooding that killed four people and left a path of destruction, inundating homes and streets and taking down trees. With that came the arduous process of cleaning up and the strain on the city workers tasked with doing it. Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp didn't have an estimate how much damage was caused, but said city leaders are getting ready to pass an emergency resolution to get $5 million to reimburse the city for expenses incurred. "So much damage, and so, there's a lot to be made. And we know that the flood insurance isn't gonna cover most of the damage. And in some cases, most people don't have much choice, and that's why we need to have these kinds of people and the legislation that sends them to know that is local, local, right, local legislation," Mapp said. Those who showed up to help weren't just from Plainfield but from all parts of New Jersey and even Pennsylvania. There were current residents and even some who have moved away but came back to lend a hand. "Insurance doesn't cover everything. I've never been in a studio where there was a death. Funerals are expensive, so if I can help by giving a couple of dollars to help the family, even though I don't live here," former Plainfield resident Renee Sterling said. The concert was scheduled to end at 8 p.m, but you can still donate after on the city's official website.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
Brief but Violent Storms in New Jersey Leave 3 Dead
Three people were killed in central New Jersey on Thursday night when severe thunderstorms tore down massive trees and electrical lines, leaving thousands without power. The storms struck Thursday evening, shortly after 6 p.m. Powerful winds accompanied heavy rain and left widespread damage, uprooting more than 80 trees and causing power outages that affected about 45,000 people, according to a statement by the authorities. Two men died in the city of Plainfield, N.J., when a tree fell on their vehicle, and a woman died in the borough of North Plainfield when a tree fell on her car, the authorities said. In response, Fourth of July celebrations planned for Friday were canceled in Plainfield, allowing officials to concentrate on the cleanup. 'This is not the time to parade and celebrate,' Adrian O. Mapp, the mayor of Plainfield, said in an interview. 'We have to focus on the emergency at hand and support the impacted families and get normalcy restored as quickly as possible.' Mr. Mapp identified the two male victims in Plainfield as Rocco Sansone, 79, of North Plainfield and Brian Ernesto Valladares, 25, of Plainfield. North Plainfield police had not immediately released the identity of the female victim. Other parts of the country also spent July 4 recovering from powerful storms. High winds, heavy rain and hail lashed parts of southern New England and left many in the region without power on Thursday. In Kerr County, Texas, west of Houston, rain and flooding caused multiple deaths and widespread damage. Authorities in Texas said at least six people had died and others were missing as flood warnings remained in place on Friday. In New Jersey, the storms were brief but violent. Mr. Mapp said the storm that reached his town carried hail and wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, but was over in five to 10 minutes. Mr. Mapp described huge trees swaying in the gusts and hail slamming against windows. 'It only lasted a short while, but the level of devastation that occurred across our entire city was something we have not seen in decades,' he said. Numerous homes suffered significant damage, Mr. Mapp added. Many of the downed trees were entangled with power lines and outages were widespread. The state's largest utility company, Public Service Electric & Gas, hoped to restore power to most residents by Friday night. Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said on social media on Thursday that he had been briefed on the storms and added that they also struck the towns of Bound Brook and Dunellen, among others. He urged residents to 'avoid any downed trees, power lines, or burning transformers.' Skies in central New Jersey are expected to be clear over the weekend, but rain, with the possibility of more thunderstorms, is forecast for Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Al Arabiya
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
At least 3 dead in New Jersey after strong thunderstorms sweep through the Northeast
Some residents in the Northeast spent their July Fourth holiday cleaning up from strong thunderstorms that swept through the region Thursday night, bringing heavy rain, wind, and hail. The storms are being blamed for at least three deaths in central New Jersey, including two men in Plainfield who died after a tree fell onto a vehicle they were traveling in during the height of the storm, according to a city Facebook post. The men were ages 79 and 25, officials said. They were not immediately publicly identified. 'Our hearts are heavy today,' Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a statement. 'This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.' The city canceled its planned July Fourth parade, concert, and fireworks show. Mapp said the devastating storms had left deep scars and widespread damage in the community of more than 54,000 people, and it was a time to 'regroup and focus all of our energy on recovery.' Continuing power outages and downed trees were reported Friday throughout southern New England, where some communities received large amounts of hail. There were reports of cars skidding off the road in northeastern Connecticut.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
At least 3 dead in New Jersey after strong thunderstorms sweep through the Northeast
Some residents in the Northeast were spending their July Fourth holiday cleaning up from strong thunderstorms that swept through the region Thursday night, bringing heavy rain, wind and hail. The storms are being blamed for at least three deaths in central New Jersey, including two men in Plainfield who died after a tree fell onto a vehicle they were traveling in during the height of the storm, according to a city Facebook post. The men were ages 79 and 25, officials said. They were not immediately publicly identified. 'Our hearts are heavy today,' Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a statement. 'This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.' The city canceled its planned July Fourth parade, concert and fireworks show. Mapp said the 'devastating' storms had left 'deep scars and widespread damage' in the community of more than 54,000 people and it was a time to 'regroup and focus all of our energy on recovery.' Continuing power outages and downed trees were reported Friday throughout southern New England, where some communities received large amounts of hail. There were reports of cars skidding off the road in northeastern Connecticut.
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
At least 3 dead in New Jersey after strong thunderstorms sweep through the Northeast
PLAINFIELD, NJ (AP) — Some residents in the Northeast were spending their July Fourth holiday cleaning up from strong thunderstorms that swept through the region Thursday night, bringing heavy rain, wind and hail. The storms are being blamed for at least three deaths in central New Jersey, including two men in Plainfield who died after a tree fell onto a vehicle they were traveling in during the height of the storm, according to a city Facebook post. The men were ages 79 and 25, officials said. They were not immediately publicly identified. 'Our hearts are heavy today,' Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a statement. 'This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.' The city canceled its planned July Fourth parade, concert and fireworks show. Mapp said the 'devastating' storms had left 'deep scars and widespread damage' in the community of more than 54,000 people and it was a time to 'regroup and focus all of our energy on recovery.' Continuing power outages and downed trees were reported Friday throughout southern New England, where some communities received large amounts of hail. There were reports of cars skidding off the road in northeastern Connecticut.
