Message from Deputy Mayor Matt Adams – July 10, 2026
On the evening of July 3, what many of us expected to be a festive start to the holiday weekend marking the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding was interrupted by a sudden and powerful storm that left its mark across our community.
In the days since, we have seen Scotch Plains at its best — neighbors helping neighbors, crews working around the clock, and a township pulling together in the face of unexpected hardship and tragedy.
The National Weather Service says the severe weather was a “microburst” — a term unfamiliar to many, including me until I started researching it early Saturday morning.
A microburst is a concentrated column of rapidly sinking air that, upon hitting the ground, spreads outward in all directions with intense, damaging winds. Unlike a tornado, which rotates, a microburst pushes straight down and then fans out, often producing wind speeds that can exceed 100 miles per hour within a very small area.
Microbursts form when rain-cooled air within a thunderstorm becomes so heavy that it plunges toward the earth in a sudden downdraft.
Because they strike a relatively limited area — sometimes just a mile or two wide — and last only a short period of time, they can be extraordinarily difficult to predict. That is precisely what made the July 3 event so jarring: the destruction was sudden, severe, and highly localized.
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Scotch Plains Police Department, Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and Department of Public Works.
Within minutes of the storm passing, our first responders were out in the community — clearing roadways, checking on residents, and ensuring public safety under dangerous conditions.
Our DPW crews have worked tirelessly in the days since, removing downed trees, restoring access to blocked streets, and helping our township get back on its feet.
Their professionalism, dedication, and genuine care for this community remind us how fortunate we are to have such committed public servants. To every person who pulled an extra shift, answered a call, checked in on a neighbor or operated a chainsaw in the scorching July heat — thank you.
It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the life lost as a result of this storm. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the young father who was tragically killed in a storm-related accident. No words can ease such a loss, and our entire community grieves with you during this incredibly difficult time.
Events like we experienced compel us to confront an uncomfortable reality. Extreme weather events — once considered rare — are becoming more frequent and more intense. The science is clear that climate change loads the atmosphere with more moisture and energy, creating conditions that make storms like this one more likely.
Addressing climate change is not an abstract policy debate; it is a matter of community safety. Whether through local sustainability initiatives, support for clean energy, or simply raising awareness, each of us has a role to play in reducing the frequency and severity of these events. We owe it to our neighbors, to our first responders, and to future generations of Scotch Plains residents to take that responsibility seriously.
The past several days have tested us, but they have also revealed the strength of this community. As we continue cleanup efforts and support those most affected, let us carry forward the spirit of solidarity we have shown one another. Scotch Plains has weathered storms before, and we weathered this one — together.
Stay safe, check on your neighbors, and never hesitate to reach out if you need help.
