Heat wave death toll reaches 20 across eastern and central U.S.

A heat wave sweeping across much of the eastern and central United States has killed at least 20 people in the past week. New Jersey reported 19 heat-related deaths since July 2, the most of any state so far. Many victims were found in homes without air conditioning, while others were located outside residences, in streets, or in parked cars.

Event details In Jackson, Mississippi, a 74-year-old man reported missing on June 29 was found behind a gas station on July 2 and died en route to a hospital. Local officials told the National Weather Service the man had been exposed to extreme heat over multiple days, with heat index values above 100.

Dozens of attendees at a July 2 Pennsylvania event featuring Union Pacific’s Big Boy steam locomotive were transported to hospitals for heat illness. In Washington, D.C., where heat indices exceeded 110 degrees during the July 4 Salute to America event, emergency personnel reported 96 patient contacts and 40 patient transports from the National Mall.

Forecast changes The East Coast is expected to receive some relief as the current heat dome shrinks. AccuWeather meteorologists said storms in southeastern New England and the mid-Atlantic on July 5 could bring damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and flash flooding.

A new heat dome is forecast to form between the Rockies and the West Coast, bringing high temperatures to much of the western United States through at least July 7.