PRESS RELEASE - 7/14/2025 Flooding / House Explosion
JULY 15, 2025 NEWS RELEASE
FLOODING / HOUSE EXPLOSION
North Plainfield BORO., N.J. North Plainfield Police Chief Alan McKay announced that on Monday,
July 14, 2025, at approximately 5:30 pm, heavy torrential rains dumped several inches of rain on
North Plainfield resulting in widespread flooding. The heavy flooding turned most roads including
RT 22 into rivers and made them unpassable. Several residents needed to be rescued from vehicles
and homes throughout the Borough.
Somerset County OEM was activated and Incident Command was established so that law enforcement,
fire and water rescue assets could be coordinated and dispatched. Several agencies were dispatched
to assist including the New Jersey State Police and the Somerset County Dive Team.
Approximately 40 residents were rescued from floodwaters which destroyed countless homes and
vehicles. Residents are being temporarily housed at the Vermule Community Center located at 614
Greenbrook Road. The Red Cross has been notified and is responding to assist with food, water and
temporary housing.
An explosion was reported at approximately 2:45 am on July 15, 2025 at 643 Parkview Ave. On arrival
police officers found the home fully engulfed in flames. The explosion appears to have been the
result of a gas leak. Luckily the home appears to have been empty and no victims were located.
We have towed approximately 35-50 vehicles so far which were flooded or had been washed away by the
force of the water. Roads continue to remain closed and unpassable due to structural damage and or
debris including wires and tree limbs.
Residents are asked to remain indoors and to stay off the roads so that emergency personnel can
start the cleanup process.
I am extremely proud of all the police officers in this agency and the job they performed under
very difficult circumstances. These officers did not hesitate to wade through chest-high water to
rescue countless residents and motorists and I could not be prouder. It has been a difficult past
couple of weeks.
NOTE: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which
continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records,
and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts
and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.