Life-threatening temperatures swallow tens of millions across Midwest and East Coast
Schools across New York and the tristate area closed early as officials warned of oppressive conditions
Nearly 170 million Americans living across the central and eastern U.S. this week have been be forced to endure dangerous heat as city officials declared emergencies and schools announced early closures.
In upstate New York, it already as if it were more than 100 degrees at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning and thousands of customers were left without power following power outages.It is the last week of school for districts there, and many have switched to half-day schedules.
“These changes in schedule were made to ensure the health and safety of both students and staff and to minimize the potential for heat-related illnesses,” Central School District Superintendent Dr. Marie Wiles said in a statement.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency across dozens of counties in response to the rising temperatures. Down the East Coast, Philadelphia health officials declared a heat health emergency, urging people to look out for each other.
The cause of the triple-digit temperatures is a massive heat dome. AccuWeather warned it could lead to levels of heat and humidity not seen in June in many years.
"Bright sun and humid conditions will cause AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures to peak above 100 degrees for millions,” warned AccuWeather meteorologist Jacob Hinson.
Why do roads buckle when temperatures climb?
"A pavement blow-up occurs when the roadway surface expands at a crack or joint where moisture has seeped in,” the Nebraska Department of Roads states on their website.
"That crack weakens the pavement and the heat causes the pavement to buckle and warp. This usually occurs on very hot afternoons, as the maximum temperature for the day is reached, typically during afternoons with 90-degree or hotter temperatures."
“Hot temperatures will cause pavement to expand, and this can eventually cause it to crack,” West York Paving explains. “Pavement cracks would allow water to seep inside and can erode the subsurface layers. Air gaps can form as a result, and if weight is applied to the top layer, the asphalt will sag, and a depression or divot will appear.”
A passing vehicle can count as that weight.
In the early hours of the morning, NYC 'feels like' temperatures were already hot
At John F. Kennedy International Airport, the “feels like” temperatures at 8 a.m. was 101 degrees.
In Central Park, it wasn’t much better, at 95 degrees.
It's going to be cooler in Florida than cities from the Northeast to the Carolinas
Potential record-breaking heat wave descends on NYC, mayoral primary voting could be affected
Primary Day in New York is on Tuesday, which is expected to be the hottest day of the potentially record-breaking heat wave.
The Board of Elections said it would prioritize aiding poll sites without air conditioning, distributing fans and ensuring water is available.
Utility Con Edison says it's worked outing to restore NYC power after heat-related outages
Heat is America's top killer
Heat deaths have been rising for decades in the U.S.
Last year, extreme heat was responsible for dozens of deaths in just a week, according to The Washington Post.
Heat is the top weather-related killer, according to the National Weather Service.
“Extreme heat and humidity is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year,” it says.
Most of those deaths last year were in the West.
More than 40,000 customers left without power in New York, Pennsylvania
More than 40,000 customers were without power late Monday morning in New York and Pennsylvania, according to PowerOutage.US.
More than 6,200 were out in Queens and WGAL reported some 2,600 customers were affected in Adams County.
Heat stroke signs and symptoms – and how to avoid it during a heat wave
Heat stroke signs and symptoms – and how to avoid it during a heatwave
Drowning deaths, water accidents reported following hot weekend weather
In New York, an Ohio swimmer identified as Pete Pizzulo was reported to have died after drowning in a lake over the weekend, according to WFMJ.
In South Carolina, a woman was killed after a possible boating injury in Little River, WPDE said. She was not identified.
Rescue crews in Chicago responded to at least a dozen water rescues and drownings along the lakefront, according to CBS News.
Research has shown that the risk of drowning increases in heat waves.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments