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A heatwave that struck the United States over the July 4th weekend has resulted in at least 25 deaths, the majority in the state of New Jersey, following a week of extreme temperatures that set historical records in at least 18 cities across the country.
The victims in New Jersey were between 30 and 80 years old and were primarily found in homes without air conditioning, although deceased individuals were also discovered on the streets and in parked vehicles in the central and northern areas of the state.
The number continued to rise throughout Saturday: from 19 fatalities reported in the afternoon, it increased to 22 and then to 25 within a few hours.
The spokesperson for the state Department of Health warned that the number "could be higher."
The governor of New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill, described the episode harshly: “This weather is extreme and dangerous... and this is the most intense heat period we have seen in over 14 years.”
Temperatures broke historical records in multiple locations across the country.
The LaGuardia Airport in New York recorded 40 °C on Thursday, July 2, surpassing the previous record of 38.3 °C set in 1966.
Philadelphia reached 39.4 °C, matching a record set in 1901, while Central Park hit 37 °C, its highest temperature since 2012.
Among the affected cities were Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, Florida.
In total, over 160 million Americans were under alerts for intense or extreme heat, and nearly a million homes and businesses lost power.
This Monday, temperatures began to decline on the East Coast, with projected highs ranging from 70 to 90 °F.
However, the southwest of the country —Arizona and California— will continue to face extreme conditions until Thursday.
At the same time, a new threat looms over the Northeast: about 40 million people from Delaware to Connecticut are under alert for flooding and severe weather this Monday, with storms threatening flash floods in Philadelphia and New York.
New York authorities advised the public to take extra precautions due to the heavy rain forecasted for this Monday and Tuesday.
In Ohio, meanwhile, tornado and severe thunderstorm alerts were issued, with intense winds already causing visible damage in the Birdman area.
The heat wave that threatened Independence Day celebrations coincided with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, forcing the cancellation or modification of numerous festive events across the country.
Heat is historically the leading cause of climate-related deaths in the U.S., and experts warn that extreme summers have become increasingly frequent and intense.
Governor Sherrill urged the public to call 2-1-1 to find available cooling centers in New Jersey, as health authorities do not rule out the possibility that the final death toll may continue to rise.
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