At least 19 deaths in New Jersey are believed to be linked to a recent heat dome that brought scorching temperatures to parts of the central and eastern United States, state officials said Saturday. The extreme heat, which set multiple records in the region, was followed by severe storms that caused widespread power outages affecting nearly 1 million customers across several states.
New Jersey health officials reported that heat-related fatalities began as early as Thursday, predominantly occurring in the central and northern parts of the state. Many victims were found in residences without air conditioning, while others were discovered outdoors or inside parked vehicles, according to Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington.
Governor Mikie Sherrill described the period as the hottest sustained stretch New Jersey has experienced in more than 14 years. She emphasized that the heat affected people across age groups and health statuses, not only seniors or individuals with preexisting conditions.
Thursday saw record-breaking temperatures in the region. LaGuardia Airport in New York City reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous high of 101 set in 1966. Trenton, New Jersey, recorded a high of 101 degrees, breaking a 1901 record, while Newark experienced 105 degrees. Atlantic City also set consecutive records with temperatures of 103 on Thursday, then 105 on Friday, and 106 on Saturday.
Meteorologist Bryan Jackson of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center noted that such heat domes combine persistent high temperatures with elevated moisture levels and direct sunlight, creating intense and prolonged heat stress on the human body. Nights offered little relief, with temperatures in coastal areas like Atlantic City staying near 80 degrees overnight, hindering recovery from daytime heat.
As the heat dome shifted eastward and temperatures began to ease, severe storms developed, bringing heavy winds that downed utility poles and trees, resulting in widespread power disruptions. By early Sunday afternoon, nearly 900,000 utility customers were without electricity in parts of the central, eastern, and southern United States, according to PowerOutage.com.
Michigan and Pennsylvania suffered significant outages, with over 223,000 customers in Michigan and nearly 170,000 in Pennsylvania affected. PPL Electric Utilities reported more than 121,000 without power Sunday morning, including approximately 47,000 in the Harrisburg area. In New York, Central Hudson experienced over 430 reports of downed wires, impacting about 50,000 customers, with around 650 still awaiting power restoration on Sunday.
Residents faced challenges amid the outages. Amanda Vesper, from the Detroit area, described losing electricity during Friday’s storms as her family prepared for bed. She noted the particular difficulties her household faces, as she has a small child with autism and relies on an electric pump for well water.
Looking ahead, Jackson forecasted another round of heavy thunderstorms in the Cleveland area on Sunday, with the storm system moving eastward through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. He warned of potential flash flooding as the region continues to deal with the aftermath of hot and severe weather conditions.