At Least 25 Dead in U.S. Heatwave; Flood Advisories Issued for East Coast

A record-breaking heatwave sweeping across the United States has resulted in at least 25 deaths.

As the heatwave began to subside, severe thunderstorms and heavy rain moved in, prompting flood advisories and causing power outages that affected hundreds of thousands of households.

According to foreign media reports, including NBC and Bloomberg, on July 5 (local time), at least 25 heat-related deaths had been recorded as of the previous day.

New Jersey alone reported 22 fatalities.

New Jersey officials stated on July 4 that most of the victims were between their 30s and 80s and were found dead in homes without air conditioning, on the streets, or inside parked vehicles.

The New Jersey Department of Health issued a warning, stating, "This heatwave is not a typical summer heatwave. It can rapidly deteriorate to a life-threatening level for people and animals of all ages."

In addition, one heat-related death was reported in each of the states of Illinois, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

The heatwave was caused by a heat dome that formed extensively from the Midwest to the East Coast.

On July 3, temperatures in New York soared to approximately 38°C (100°F), with the heat index reaching 43°C (109°F).

Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston also saw temperatures either break or match all-time record highs.

Due to the heatwave, which continued through the Independence Day holiday, several outdoor events were canceled or scaled back.

At the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where the nation's 250th anniversary celebration was held, numerous people suffered from heat-related illnesses, leading to the emergency deployment of the National Guard.

NBC reported that the temperature of chairs at the event venue, heated by the midday sun, reached as high as 70°C (158°F).

On top of this, the region was hit by severe thunderstorms and heavy rain.

A cold front carrying cool air from the north collided with the remaining hot and humid air, creating a powerful storm front that has caused new damage.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood advisories for the New York City area as severe thunderstorms that began in Ohio moved across the East Coast, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Some areas were forecast to experience strong winds of up to approximately 95 km/h and frequent lightning, while sudden heavy rainfall of up to 100 mm was predicted for Manhattan and Queens.

The strong winds and thunderstorms caused power outages, primarily in Michigan, New Jersey, and New York, leaving about 900,000 households without electricity.

Major train services, including Amtrak and NJ Transit, also experienced delays.

Additionally, 511 reports of wind damage were filed across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast on July 4, with trees uprooted and utility poles knocked down.

The NWS advised caution, noting that while daytime temperatures are expected to drop slightly as cool air moves in from the north, high temperatures and humidity are expected to persist at night, raising concerns about further damage.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.