Heatwave kills at least 25 people across United States as temperatures top 100°F
More than 20 states recorded temperatures above 100°F, prompting heat alerts for over 140 million people and resulting in at least 25 deaths, officials said.
A persistent heat dome over the eastern United States has driven temperatures above 100°F in more than 20 states, leaving over 140 million people under heat alerts. At least 25 deaths have been linked to the extreme conditions, according to state officials.
New Jersey authorities reported 22 fatalities across ten counties, many of whom were found in homes without air conditioning, on streets or in parked cars. The state's public health department said the heatwave was “not a typical summer heatwave” and warned that it can quickly become life-threatening for people and animals of all ages.
In Illinois, a death in Cook County was attributed to heat stress combined with cardiovascular disease, as confirmed by a government spokesperson. Mississippi officials confirmed two heat-related deaths: a 74-year-old man found behind a gas station and an 83-year-old woman who collapsed while trying to get up after a fall in her garden.
Emergency responders in Washington, D.C., treated 51 people for heat-related issues on Saturday, with 12 requiring hospital care. The city cancelled Independence Day events, and the National Mall’s Great American State Fair was temporarily closed after 44 visitors sought medical attention.
The National Weather Service said cooler air from the north is expected to lower temperatures in the coming days, shifting the most intense heat further south. Scientists noted that such extreme heat events underscore the need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions driving climate change.