Severe Storms Take Down Trees, Power Lines Around Tri-State Area
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Severe storms pounded the Tri-State Area late Monday afternoon -- bringing sideways rain, uprooting trees, and electrocuting a driver whose car was struck by downed wires.
As CBS2's Lonnie Quinn reported, the heaviest activity came in the late afternoon and early evening. By 9 p.m., conditions had calmed down, but some storm cells were still blowing through the area.
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The entire Tri-State Area – and nearly the entire northeast region – was under a severe thunderstorm watch for much of the afternoon and evening.
Earlier in the afternoon, the storms brought wind so strong that it blew the rain sideways at the Linden Municipal Heliport in Linden, New Jersey.
On Staten Island, City Councilman Steven Matteo (R-50th) tweeted photos of trees down along busy Victory Boulevard, as well as Casewell Avenue.
CBS2's cameras were also on Staten Island in the middle of the storm, showing the heavy rain and winds so strong that a traffic light was left swaying perilously.
CBS2's Quinn reported Newark Liberty International Airport saw winds top out at 65 mph.
In Roselle, New Jersey, a downed tree and what appeared to be a downed power line started a fire.
The violent weather was also blamed for a deadly accident in Fanwood, New Jersey.
Around 4:30 p.m., witnesses said a woman was driving down Midway Avenue in Fanwood, when she tried to avoid a tree that had fallen before.
Wires fell down on the woman's car, and she was killed by the live electricity when she attempted to get out of the vehicle, officials said.
The 26-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
"I saw this car, this white car, and the body next to the car," said Gary Gurzo of Fanwood.
As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, Gurzo came upon the tragic scene as he came out of his home.
"The line was on the driver's side, and she wanted to escape from the passenger's side," Gurzo said. "As soon as she stepped out of the car, she was electrocuted because the wire was hanging in the puddle next to the car."
Witnesses said the electricity had to be shut off before first responders could get to the woman.
"They were trying everything for long, long minutes but they were not able to do anything," Gurzo said.
"It was just a tragic situation," said witness Cam Smith. "It was terrible to see."
Another witness, Eliberia Delgadillo, was overcome with sadness as she recalled being unable to help the victim.
"I'm so sorry I can't help. I can't help," Delgadillo said.
Delgadillo and her 12-year-old daughter were driving behind the woman when they witnessed the horrific scene.
"We saw that the terrible storm was hitting and then we saw that the tree fell… there was a wire that fell from the top, and it fell on top of her car," said Delgalillo's daughter, Camila Chacha.
Police said the Plainfield, New Jersey woman got out of her car, and as soon as she did, she was electrocuted by the live wires.
"I saw her when she burned, when she touched the cables, and oh my God, it was terrible."
The storm also brought widespread outages to the area. Con Edison reported 2,287 customers without power, PSE&G New Jersey reported 15,048, JCP&L reported 397, and PSEG Long Island reported 1,231.
