US Heatwave Kills 25, Extreme Temperatures Grip Nation

At least 25 people have died as a heatwave blanketed the United States over the past week. Approximately 40 million people are under extreme heat warnings across the East Coast, Southeast, and Southwest regions. According to state and local officials, New Jersey reported at least 22 suspected heat-related deaths. One fatality was reported in Illinois and two more in Mississippi. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that severe thunderstorms bringing strong winds, hail, and localised flash flooding would affect parts of the East Coast through Monday. Flood warnings were issued for around 34 million people across areas from Delaware to Connecticut, including New York City, where forecasters predicted rainfall could reach up to 7.6 centimetres. Severe storms also caused power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers in several eastern states. The NWS cautioned that heat advisories would continue through Sunday night along the East Coast. Heat index values, which reflect the combined effect of humidity and air temperature, were expected to range between 37.7 and 40.5 degrees Celsius in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Raleigh, Charleston, and Jacksonville. Forecasters expect temperatures across most of the East Coast to gradually decrease this week, but dangerous heat is still anticipated to linger in some areas until midweek. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for parts of California and Arizona, including Phoenix and Tucson, where daily highs are expected to reach 45.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in New York City, the health department reported that more than 378 people visited emergency rooms due to heat-related illnesses.