Record heatwave kills at least 25 in US, then storms cut power to 800,000 as flood risk looms

Deadly heatwave

At least 25 people have died as a heat dome scorched the eastern United States with record temperatures. New Jersey officials attributed 22 deaths across 10 counties to the extreme heat, with victims found in homes without air conditioning, on streets, and in parked cars. The first death occurred on Thursday, and the deceased ranged from their mid-30s to their 80s. A heat-related death was also reported in Cook County, Illinois, and in Mississippi, 74-year-old Mitchell Ray Cooley died of heat exposure after being reported missing, the county coroner said.

This is not a typical summer heatwave. This type of heat can quickly become life-threatening to humans and to animals of all ages.

Record temperatures

More than 20 states recorded temperatures above 100F (38C), and over 140 million people remained under heat alerts on Sunday. LaGuardia Airport in New York hit 104F (40C) on Thursday, breaking a record from 1966. Trenton, New Jersey, reached 101F, surpassing a 1901 record. Newark recorded 105F, and Atlantic City set consecutive records: 103F Thursday, 105F Friday, and 106F (41.1C) Saturday.

It was relentless. It was multiple days. The body can't recover as well.

Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey called it "the hottest stretch we've seen in over 14 years."

Storms and power outages

As the heat eased, severe thunderstorms with powerful winds swept from Oklahoma to Connecticut, toppling trees and power lines. Over 800,000 utility customers lost electricity by Sunday, with Michigan (more than 222,000), Pennsylvania (close to 170,000), New York (about 85,000), Connecticut (more than 68,000), and New Jersey (84,000 still without power after 210,000 restorations) among the hardest hit. DTE Energy in Michigan expected to restore 85% of affected customers by Sunday's end. Jersey Central Power and Light said most remaining customers would have power back within three days.

I thought the thunder was fireworks. The hail was incredible.

Flood threat in New York

A flood watch was issued for the entire New York region through Tuesday morning as forecasters warned of multiple rounds of thunderstorms. The heaviest rain was expected Monday, with New York City, Long Island, and nearby suburbs potentially receiving up to two inches of rain per hour. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to take the weather seriously, warning of treacherous travel during the morning commute. Governor Kathy Hochul said state agencies had been mobilized. The National Weather Service cautioned that basements, subways, and low-lying streets could flood within minutes.

Please -- take this weather seriously.

Response and outlook

Cooling centers remained open in New York City as the World Cup match between Brazil and Norway took place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center said the primary threat in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas on Sunday was damaging wind gusts, with some hail possible in Texas. Cooler air from the north was expected to lower temperatures in the coming days, but the flood risk persisted.