Fatalities reported as severe storms hit parts of New Jersey, governor says
CBSJUL 5
Severe Storms Strike Texas, Northeast US
Above: Clouds pass over the skyline of lower Manhattan as the sun sets following a storm in New York City on July 3, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. Image copyright: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
The Spin
Climate-concerned narrative
These tragic deaths underscore the urgent need for enhanced storm preparedness and improved investment in infrastructure. Climate change is making severe weather events more frequent and deadly, yet communities lack adequate resources for emergency response and power grid resilience. The cancellation of the Fourth of July celebrations highlights how extreme weather is increasingly disrupting American traditions and economic activity.
Climate-skeptic narrative
Climate alarmism — including incorrectly attributing severe weather events to "catastrophic" climate change — can have negative psychological impacts. Moreover, Americans just aren't buying climate domerism as much anymore. Americans tend to support responsible environmental policies that aren't tied to a radical sweeping agenda, and it's important to address storm readiness in a responsible manner.