Over 842,000 US households lose power as extreme heat disrupts Independence Day celebrations

More than 842,000 households across the United States lost electricity on Saturday as extreme heat and severe weather hampered Independence Day celebrations and strained infrastructure. PowerOutage.us reported widespread outages affecting the Midwest and Northeast, regions grappling with soaring temperatures that also led to changes in Fourth of July events.

In Washington, D.C., the planned morning parade for the nation's 250th Independence Day was canceled due to the extreme heat. The Great American State Fair also temporarily closed its gates after numerous attendees required treatment for heat-related illnesses. The severe weather conditions extended to transportation, with Amtrak canceling several train services, citing temperature-related issues that impacted rail operations. The rail operator apologized for the disruptions, which affected multiple routes.

The U.S. National Weather Service indicated that over 165 million people, particularly along the East Coast and in the Midwest, experienced record-breaking temperatures on Friday. Several cities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware recorded temperatures reaching up to 39.5°C (103°F), setting new heat records for those locations.