‘Excessive’ Heat Wave Grips Much of U.S.
Lower Manhattan
Extreme heat is blanketing a large swath of the United States this weekend and relief is not expected until Sunday night at the earliest. The blistering heat will affect tens of millions of people from the Midwest to Maine.
An “excessive heat warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday,” the National Weather Service said.
The heat wave is already being blamed for six deaths, four in Maryland, one in Arizona, and one in Arkansas.
In New York City, Ozy Fest, a music and food festival, and the New York Triathlon were both cancelled due to the heat. National Weather Service meteorologists said, that emperatures in there could reach 97° F (36° ). They cautioned it could feel as high as 111 (44).
In Massachusetts, the Braintree Police Department is asking “anyone thinking of doing criminal activity to hold off until Monday,” it said on its official Facebook page.
“It is straight up hot as soccer balls out there. Conducting criminal activity, in this extreme heat is next level henchmen status, and also very dangerous,” it added.
New York City and Washington, D.C. were among the dozens of cities declaring a heat emergency.
“This is going to be one of the most severe heat events that we’ve had in the last several years,” said Christopher Rodriguez, the district’s director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.
People in areas hit by the heat wave are advised to stay inside, turn on the air conditioner, and drink lots of water. For those without air conditioning, officials suggest going to a cooling center or location such as a mall or movie theater with AC.
Meanwhile, in Europe, a heat wave is forecast to grip the Continent from Spain to Italy to Germany next week.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
