Heat-related deaths mount after historic Fourth of July heat wave broiled eastern US
The historic heat dome that broiled the eastern U.S. over the July 4 holiday is being blamed for at least 26 deaths.
The historic heat dome that broiled the eastern U.S. over the July 4 holiday is being blamed for at least 28 deaths.
Extreme heat gripped more than 260 million people as temperatures topped 90 degrees between last Tuesday and Sunday. More than 20 states recorded highs of at least 100 degrees, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
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The New Jersey Department of Public Health told FOX Weather on Monday that at least 25 deaths across 10 counties have been preliminarily linked to the extreme temperatures. Real-time data from the state shows that hundreds more were hospitalized over the weekend for heat-related illnesses.
The ages mostly range from the mid-30s into the 80s.
"This is not a typical summer heat wave. This type of heat can quickly become life-threatening to humans and to animals of all ages," the New Jersey Department of Public Health said.
Cook County, Illinois, confirmed that a man in his late 60s died from a heat-related cardiovascular event last Thursday.
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The Hinds County, Mississippi, Coroner's Office told FOX Weather that at least two seniors died from heat exposure as the heat dome baked the South, with one death reported on June 27 and another on July 2.
While air temperatures reached the 90s and low 100s, high humidity sent feels-like temperatures soaring to between 105 and 115 degrees.
Notably, Washington, D.C., broke the record for the warmest July 4 with a high temperature of 103 degrees.
The intense heat closed the Great American State Fair on the National Mall for about 4 hours Friday. The National Special Security Event Joint Information Center said medical teams across several agencies responded to more than 700 heat-related calls from the National Mall over the weekend, with 40 people taken to the hospital.
Philadelphia recorded three consecutive days above 101 degrees for the first time in its history.
Atlantic City, New Jersey tied its all-time hottest temperature of 106 degrees on Saturday.
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On Thursday, Newark International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey hit 105 degrees for the first time since 2001. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City also hit 102 degrees, which broke their daily record high of 101 set in 1966.
At least 148 daily high-temperature records were set between June 30 and Sunday, July 5.
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