Tragedy struck in New Jersey as severe thunderstorms and significant flooding claimed the lives of two women who were en route to a bingo night. Family and friends identified the victims as Lubia Estevez and Forest Whitlock, both in their 60s.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. when the vehicle the women were traveling in flipped while making a turn on Stelle Avenue. According to authorities, the car was subsequently swept away by floodwaters into Cedar Brook, a nearby waterway. Emergency responders pronounced both women dead at the scene.
“She helped anybody,” Nydajia Whitlock, Forest Whitlock’s granddaughter, shared with CBS News, expressing her profound grief. “If you needed a ride, if you needed somewhere to stay, her door was open, her car door was open. There are no words that could describe the pain that I’m feeling right now.”
Estevez was a long-serving employee of the Plainfield School District, having worked as a food services cashier for over 15 years. In a statement, the district expressed its sorrow, stating, “Plainfield Public Schools is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own due to the recent flooding here in Plainfield. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragedy.” The presence of Lubia Estevez, described as a valued member of the district and its food services team, will be greatly missed.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Estevez became a United States citizen in 2016. She was not only known for her dedication to her job but also for her resilience, being a cancer survivor who recently endured the loss of her husband of 19 years.
In the wake of the torrential rain and thunderstorms overnight on Monday, New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency. The relentless downpour led to extensive flooding that overwhelmed numerous neighborhoods and streets in the tri-state area, prompting multiple water rescues.
Estevez and Whitlock’s unfortunate deaths mark the third and fourth fatalities associated with extreme weather events in Plainfield this month. Earlier in July, two men lost their lives when a tree fell onto their vehicle.
