Officials have reported at least 19 suspected deaths linked to the intense heat sweeping across New Jersey, as temperatures continue to climb during the Fourth of July holiday period.
“We observed what we suspect are heat-related fatalities starting as early as Thursday,” remarked Dr. Raynard Washington, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, during a press briefing on Saturday. He noted that many of these individuals were found in homes lacking air conditioning.
A historic heat wave has engulfed the metropolitan area as the Fourth of July approaches, pushing temperatures in both New York City and New Jersey to unprecedented levels.
On Thursday, Central Park recorded a scorching 100 degrees, making it the hottest day since 1966 and marking the park’s first triple-digit temperature since 2012. Just last year, the park hit 99 degrees around the same period.
With oppressive humidity and extreme heat, New Yorkers were desperately searching for relief, as real-feel temperatures soared to a staggering 110 degrees.
Big Apple subways have felt like an inferno with temperatures hitting the mid-to-high 90s in multiple subway lines, with real feels breaking 100 degrees and climbing.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged New Yorkers to keep their thermostats cranked up to a blistering 78 degrees amid the heatwave.
“New York: it’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool, set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can,” Hizzoner wrote in a post on X.
New York City health officials said there were no confirmed heat-related deaths so far during the current heat wave.
“Tragically, we lose about 500 New Yorkers due to heat-related illness annually. That is why the Mamdani Administration is taking a whole-of-government response to extreme heat,” a city hall spokesperson said in a statement.
Even flash thunderstorms weren’t able to break the heat’s grip on the city.
Heat-fueled thunderstorms with winds of 60 mph punished the metro area and left thousands without power Friday.
Trees were downed onto cars in powerlines in Morris and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey, leaving some beleaguered residents trapped.
Over 10,000 New Yorkers lost power in Queens as a result of the storms.
But despite the cool air brought in from the tempests, the city still neared 100 degrees Saturday ahead of the big fireworks display.