Severe overnight thunderstorms in the Northeast and South Texas killed several people and caused widespread damage ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

In Plainfield, New Jersey, two men died when a tree fell on their car, while nearby North Plainfield also reported one death.

Thousands lost power across New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

In Texas, flooding from heavy rain caused fatalities and swept away homes, with the Guadalupe River rising dramatically.

Flood alerts remain in effect for millions in Texas, NBC News has reported.

Storm threats also forced Fourth of July event cancellations in parts of Florida.

Written by B.C. Begley