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Eyewitness recounts chilling words of NJ flash flood victim before she was swept away with another woman

By Piyush Arora
Published on : 23:50 PST, Jul 15, 2025

The raging floodwaters in New Jersey violently tossed the car from side to side before ultimately hurling it into Cedar brook (ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA)

PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY: One of the two New Jersey women killed by violent floodwaters was heard in a heart-wrenching cry for help just moments before surging water swallowed the streets of devastated Plainfield.

The victims, who have yet to be identified by authorities, died on Monday, July 14, when severe floodwaters swept their car into Cedar Brook, officials reported.

Union County investigators review a scene where two women were in their car on the road when it was swept into the Cedar Brook during the height of the storm in Plainfield, New Jersey on July 15, 2025. This is the second time in 11 days extreme weather has claimed lives in Plainfield. On July 3, also in Plainfield, the weather knocked down a tree onto a car killing two people inside. Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA — Union County investigators review a scene where two women were in their car on the road when it was swept into the Cedar Brook during the height of the storm in Plainfield, New Jersey on July 15, 2025. This is the second time in 11 days extreme weather has claimed lives in Plainfield. On July 3, also in Plainfield, the weather knocked down a tree onto a car killing two people inside (ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA

Eyewitness recalls flood victim screaming 'I don't want to die'

An eyewitness told ABC 7 that the raging floodwaters tossed the car violently from side to side before hurling it into the brook, a channel built to catch all of the city’s floodwater.

Another man recalled hearing one of the women crying out for help, screaming, “I don't want to die!”

Cars are shown toppled after heavy rains swept through North Plainfield, New Jersey on July 15, 2025. The rains inundating sections of New York and New Jersey with flash flooding that stranded vehicles in roadways. Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA — Cars are shown toppled after heavy rains swept through North Plainfield, New Jersey on July 15, 2025. The rains inundating sections of New York and New Jersey with flash flooding that stranded vehicles in roadways (ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA)

He also revealed that a good Samaritan broke the car’s window in an attempt to rescue the victim but was unable to pull them out, as the violent floodwaters forcefully swept them into the brook.

Firefighters were unable to reach the victims on the night of July 14 as the fierce storm continued to pound the area. Authorities believe the two women became trapped inside their car and ultimately drowned as floodwaters engulfed the streets.

“It was so flooded, it was like a river going through, and I’ve never seen anything like this before,” one resident, Theresa Lee, told ABC 7.

Residents are shown on the auditorium steps Plainfield High Schol in Plainfield; New Jersey. Motorists, residents were left stranded in their cars, the local high school amid reports of flooded homes.( ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA) — Residents are shown on the auditorium steps Plainfield High Schol in Plainfield; New Jersey. Motorists, residents were left stranded in their cars, the local high school amid reports of flooded homes (ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA)

New Jersey governor declares emergency as raging storm continues to batter state

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on July 15 after a heavy rainstorm caused widespread flooding, submerging cars, swallowing roadways, and canceling flights.

In a dramatic overnight rescue, North Plainfield police and first responders waded through chest-high floodwaters to save more than 40 people.

Officials reported that between 30 and 50 vehicles were swept away and destroyed by the powerful floods, which the National Weather Service (NWS) warned could be “life-threatening."

Amid the chaos, a house in North Plainfield exploded after floodwaters ruptured its gas line. Firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames as they rushed inside to rescue its four occupants.

Following the deadly storm, Murphy toured the state and addressed the press, saying, “There's a general human nature to think, ‘I can beat water. I know I can't beat a tornado, shouldn't touch a downed power line, but my vehicle can make it through water, or I can stay in my house,’ and people pay with their lives over it.”

“We're not unique, but we're in one of these high humidity, high temperature, high storm intensity patterns right now. Everybody needs to stay alert,” he continued.

A man walks through flood waters on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, New Jersey. Motorists and residents were left stranded in their car and at the local high school amid reports of flooded homes. Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA — A man walks through flood waters on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, New Jersey. Motorists and residents were left stranded in their car and at the local high school amid reports of flooded homes (ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA)

Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp also warned of a difficult road ahead for his community, stating, “We're dealing with basements that have been flooded up to the ceiling. We're dealing with people who have lost everything in their basements. We're dealing with infrastructure that we have to address.”

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