A powerful heatwave spread from the Midwest to the eastern United States on Wednesday, placing tens of millions of Americans under heat warnings ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend, when the country will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence.
Forecasters warned that “feels-like” temperatures could range between 100°F and 115°F (38°C to 46°C) across large parts of the country, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among older adults, children and outdoor workers. The soaring temperatures have also raised concerns about pressure on electricity grids as demand for air conditioning continues to climb.
In Hill City, Kansas, postal worker Sabrina Hooper said the relentless heat has made her daily deliveries exhausting. Having recently started the job, she walks up to 10 miles each day and relies on lawn sprinklers to cool off during her route.
In Brownsville, Texas, resident Dana Robles expressed concern over rising electricity bills and the possibility of power outages. She said her family’s summer electricity costs can exceed $300 a month, nearly one-third of their rent.
Chicago residents also felt the impact, with homeowners reporting air conditioners struggling to keep homes cool despite running continuously. City officials urged residents to check on elderly neighbours and vulnerable people, while cooling centres remained open across the city.
New York City activated hundreds of cooling centres, deployed mobile relief vans offering water and meals, extended public pool hours, and asked businesses to conserve electricity as the heat intensified. Officials also requested reduced lighting in Times Square and encouraged residents to limit electricity use during peak hours.
The US heatwave comes as Western Europe also experiences record-breaking temperatures, with climate scientists warning that human-driven climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent and more severe around the world.
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