By: Richard L. Smith
Two women lost their lives Monday night after their vehicle was overtaken by powerful floodwaters during a series of intense thunderstorms that battered New Jersey, officials confirmed.
According to a statement released by the Plainfield Police Department, the victims were inside a vehicle that became submerged around 8:00 p.m. near Stelle Avenue, where Cedar Brook had overflowed its banks due to the heavy rain.
The surging waters pulled the vehicle into the swollen brook, leaving the women trapped.
Their deaths mark the third and fourth storm-related fatalities in Plainfield this month.
On July 3, two men were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle during a previous storm on Myrtle Avenue.
Monday night’s severe weather triggered widespread flash flooding across the state.
Slow-moving thunderstorms dropped as much as 6.5 inches of rain in some areas, prompting dozens of emergency water rescues as streets quickly turned into rivers.
City officials continue to urge residents to avoid driving through flooded areas and to remain alert during severe weather conditions.