Latest news with #NorthPlainfield
CBS News
10 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Closure signs on flood-impacted North Plainfield, N.J. street not stopping some drivers. Here's why the public is concerned.
The recent floods in New Jersey destroyed several roadways, and there is concern about trucks and cars traveling on one that is closed to outside traffic because part of it has collapsed. CBS News New York sent reporter Christine Sloan to see what's being done to keep residents and businesses safe. Video shows raging waters taking over a section of Somerset Street in North Plainfield during last weeks floods. Parts of the road are seen buckling and collapsing. Cement barricades are now around the damaged part of the roadway. However, despite "Road Closure" and "Local Business Only" signs, trucks and cars were going through Tuesday morning and early afternoon. "It's abandoned here. There's no police. There's nobody here," Paula Solias said. North Plainfield resident Stacy Barnard tipped off CBS News New York on the problem. "Three days after the storm hit us three 18 wheelers come through here. [I'm] worried about that collapsing more," Barnard said. Residents say it's not just the stability of the road they're concerned about, pointing to the fact that drivers are bypassing the road closure signs and driving in both directions on one lane. "I just saw a tractor trailer coming through this area and I felt it was going to really hit this van that's right here," business owner Amy Silberman said. Police arrived to enforce the road closure after CBS News New York called North Plainfield's mayor. "If it wasn't for you, this cop right here that got that guy wouldn't be here," Barnard said. "You guys were right here. You know what? From the bottom of my heart I thank you, guys, man, because finally something's being done." Silberman wants answers on the integrity of the county road. Her husband's medical office was destroyed by flood waters and she doesn't want more issues. "Everyone inside the building was trapped. My husband, his office manager, his patients were trapped, and they had to be evacuated through a window," she said. CBS News New York reached out to the Somerset County Road Department about the roadway, itself, but did not immediately hear back.
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
North Plainfield, N.J. residents facing harsh realities following devastating flooding
The cleanup from the floods earlier this month in New Jersey continues, but for many residents, the struggle to rebuild is just beginning. In North Plainfield, the daunting task of hauling away the personal belongings of those losing what they own in floods is top of mind. North Plainfield Mayor Lawrence La Ronde told CBS News New York on Monday that crews will continue to work until every item is picked up. "They are taking everything away. My kid's playset, trampoline, all our furniture that we had downstairs. It's all gone now. Gotta start from zero again," resident Robert Aldred said. Aldred's cars were also destroyed, but said he is grateful because his wife and children were safe after being trapped in house by flood waters. "As I am talking to her on the phone, I could hear the kids crying in the background. They are completely nervous and you can't help but think about what happened in Texas a few weeks ago and I was just at work, helpless," Aldred said. Aldred, who dealt with Hurricane Ida as well, said he has applied for money to raise his home, but if it doesn't come through, he may have to consider selling. On the other side of town, crews were using heavy equipment to pick debris from a house explosion, and some homes in the neighborhood have been condemned. In nearby Scotch Plains, Vernecia Adams' gym, Pretty Beast Mode Fitness & Nutrition LLC., was ravaged by flood waters. "By closer to 7 o'clock, the complete door was blown off from pressure of the water," Adams said. With much of her equipment destroyed, the former body builder says her gym had to be shut down. "To kind of see everything be destroyed, I am not sure if it's salvage as of yet. I am not sure if I am going to be able to open up as of yet," Adams said. She also said it's unclear if her landlord will be able to make necessary repairs. "Part of it is climate change. Some of it is Scotch Plains is pitched a little lower, so a lot of the water was also rushing off of the hills," she said. "Also, the structure of the building, itself, needs work." Adams' boyfriend, Keron Heath, was helping her clean up. "I am just trying to do my best to be here for her and show support where needed. The community has definitely helped," Heath said. "I am really grateful for people who have helped out or tried to donate. If anybody else wants to, please feel free to reach out to me," Adams said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Recovery continues after storm that left 3 dead in Central Jersey
Life is slowly returning to normal as the cleanup continues after a severe thunderstorm with winds between 60 and 80 mph carved a narrow path of destruction in Plainfield, North Plainfield and Dunellen on the evening of July 3. As of 2 p.m. July 7, there were still more than 100 customers without power in Plainfield and Dunellen. PSE&G estimatated that full power restoration may not be made until 7 p.m. July 8. In Plainfield, Public Works employees are continuing to remove all trees from roads. The city's Signal Division is fixing traffic lights and replacing street signs damaged in the storm. In North Plainfield, Mayor Lawrence La Ronde said the cleanup could take up to two weeks and the borough has hired outside contractors to assist in the operation. More: Death toll rises to three in violent storm in Central Jersey Three people died during the quick-moving but violent storm. Authorities have released the name of the third fatality, 44-year-old Diana Ospina of Middlesex Borough. Ospina was driving along Greenbrook Road in North Plainfield when she pulled over to sit out the storm. But a large tree and electrical wires came down on her vehicle. A GoFundMe page has been established to help support her family. She is survived by her husband and two sons. "The sudden loss has devastated her children, who must now navigate life without the comforting presence of their mother," according to the GoFundMe post. In Plainfield, 79-year-old Rocco Sansone of North Plainfield and 25-year-old Brian Ernesto Valladares, a Plainfield resident and native of El Salvador, lost their lives when a tree fell on the vehicle they were traveling in on Myrtle Avenue. A GoFundMe page has also been established to pay for Valladares to be returned to his family in El Salvador. Another GoFundMe site has also been set up to help the Fairchild family in Dunellen. A large tree fell on their house, destroying the kitchen, dining room, bathroom and master bedroom. Email: mdeak@ . This article originally appeared on Recovery continues after violent storm that left 3 dead in Central Jersey Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
House explodes during New Jersey flooding, nearby homes damaged
A house exploded overnight as flash flooding inundated a New Jersey neighborhood and damaged several nearby homes, officials said. The blast took place about 2:45 a.m. local time on July 15 at a home on Parkview Avenue, a North Plainfield Police Department non-emergency dispatcher confirmed to USA TODAY. The house is in the borough of North Plainfield in Somerset County, not far from the New York state line and about 30 miles from The Big Apple. Footage of the incident shows wooden slats from the front of the home laying flat on the ground with torn siding and other rubble behind it. As of Monday no injuries or fatalities had been reported. According to police Chief Alan McKay, when officers arrived on scene, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. "Luckily the home appears to have been empty and no victims were located," police wrote in a news release. Northeast flooding: Heavy rainfall causes flash flooding in New York City, other major cities New Jersey flash flooding The destruction took place around the same time heavy rainfall hit portions of the state as well as New York City, with videos on social media showing a subway station inundated with floodwaters. Parkview Avenue and other roads and highways in New Jersey experienced high floodwater overnight. The heavy flooding turned most roads including Route 22 into rivers and made them unpassable, police reported, and dozens were rescued from vehicles and homes throughout the borough. Several agencies were dispatched to assist local police including the New Jersey State Police and the Somerset County Dive Team. McKay said about 40 residents were rescued from floodwaters which destroyed countless homes and Red Cross was notified and is responding to assist with food, water and temporary housing, McKay said. Major cities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic including New York City were hampered by flash flooding after storms knocked out power, closed voluminous roads and prompted water rescues on July 14. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Mount Holly, the rain caused flash flooding prompting a state of emergency declaration in New Jersey. In northern New Jersey, forecasters reported between 3 and 6.5 inches of rain fell. The NWS warned more rain was expected on July 15. 'His faith became sight': Megachurch pastor John MacArthur dies What caused a New Jersey home to explode? A preliminary investigation by officials determined the explosion appears to have been the result of a gas leak, police said. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House explodes in North Plainfield, New Jersey amid flooding
CBS News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
New Jersey residents cleaning up from flash flooding now faced with filing insurance claims
Hundreds of homes in New Jersey were damaged by flash flooding Monday, and many families are only just beginning the process of filing insurance claims. CBS News New York's investigative reporter Mahsa Saeidi spoke with residents about the challenges they're facing and got important advice from experts on what homeowners should do next. For the second time this month, the Gavin family called their insurance company. On July 3, they filed a homeowners claim after strong winds damaged their siding. Then on Monday, they filed a flood claim after water surrounded their North Plainfield home. Stephanie Gavin said they have thousands of dollars worth of damage. "Water heater, air conditioner, washer, dryer, deep freezer, refrigerator," she said. "Hopefully, I get the max, the guy is supposed to come, but that looks like it's only going to be maybe $9,000." Some neighbors are in even worse shape. The storm ripped apart the foundation of one home, and it could collapse at any point, according to the family who lives there. Like so many in the community, they're at the mercy of their insurance company. "It's been nonstop claims," said insurance agent Jaclyn Licato. "Lot of flood insurance claims, auto claims." Jeff Licato said he's been selling insurance for 44 years in the community. "This is the worst I've ever seen when it comes to flooding. It's new to me too to see something so severe," he said. Experts say take pictures of the destruction before starting to cleanup. File a proof of loss and take steps to prevent further damage. Schedule a visit from an adjuster and document everything. Across the Garden State, rates are ticking up, as well as cancellations. "Some companies have gotten a 10% rate increase, some have gotten 22 or higher," said Jeff Licato. In December, a Senate report on counties with the largest jump in non-renewals nationwide named three in New Jersey: Cape May, Hudson and Atlantic. So even if you aren't filing a claim now, you could still face insurance troubles soon. "It's all up to the adjuster that's coming tomorrow, so it's in their hands. Everything is in the insurance hands," Gavin said.
