Extreme heatwave grips US East Coast, claims 28 lives

New Jersey authorities confirmed 25 fatalities since Thursday attributed to an extreme heatwave, warning that the number could increase. The state's Department of Health spokesperson noted the death toll had risen by six since Saturday afternoon.

State Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington stated that most deaths occurred in central and northern New Jersey. The victims were primarily individuals without air conditioning in their homes, while others were found deceased outdoors or in parked vehicles. "We have started to see what we believe are heat-related deaths as early as Thursday," Washington said, emphasizing the seriousness of the heat.

New Jersey was among the states hit hard by the extreme heat across the eastern U.S. during the long July 4th holiday weekend, which also marked the nation's 250th anniversary. Major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. experienced record temperatures around 38-39 degrees Celsius (100-102 degrees Fahrenheit), with higher "feels like" temperatures. Authorities responded by canceling or modifying events and declaring heat emergencies, opening cooling centers.

Nationwide, at least three other heat-related deaths were reported in other states, bringing the total to 28. These included a death in Cook County, Illinois, attributed to cardiovascular issues exacerbated by heat stress; a 74-year-old man in Hinds County, Mississippi, who died from heat exposure; and an 83-year-old woman in Louisiana, near New Orleans, who also succumbed to the high temperatures. The National Weather Service maintained heat advisories for much of the country on Sunday but warned of potential flash floods from thunderstorms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic as temperatures begin to drop.