A severe heatwave is sweeping across the eastern United States, placing significant pressure on power grids, disrupting preparations for FIFA World Cup matches, and overshadowing the country’s celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of its independence. With the heat index expected to exceed 46 degrees Celsius, New York City, the most populous city in the United States, is bracing for unprecedented temperatures, while heat warnings have expanded across the north-eastern states and the central Atlantic coast.
New York City Implements Emergency Measures
New York City authorities have introduced a series of measures to address the extreme heat, including converting hundreds of public buildings into cooling centres, deploying volunteers to check on vulnerable groups, and extending the opening hours of public swimming pools across the city. The US National Weather Service said that, due to high humidity levels, the heat index could reach 41 degrees Celsius in Boston, 44 degrees Celsius in Philadelphia and 45 degrees Celsius in Washington.
The agency forecast record-breaking temperatures during Independence Day celebrations, with the potential for consecutive daily records to be broken, in addition to monthly records and possibly the highest temperatures ever recorded.
President Trump Comments on Heat and Crowds
US president Donald Trump on Truth Social directly addressed the sweltering weather that the US capital is experiencing. “Despite the heat, which isn’t as bad as predicted, the crowds in DC are incredible,” he writes. “The love of our country has never been stronger.” He also addresses the aerial flyovers, which he describes as “at a level never seen before”, as well as his remarks later and the Reflecting Pool, which he says “looks great” despite “vandal thugs” he claims defaced it. It’s still about 101F (38C) outside in DC.
Ahead of the event, various US outlets reported that the celebration’s organisers and the White House were concerned that the high temperatures might prompt many would-be attendees to stay home. Trump, it should be noted, has long been preoccupied with crowd sizes, on which he frequently comments. This stretches back as far as his first inauguration in 2017, when the size of the crowd became the source of considerable debate.
Widespread Power Outages Across Eastern States
Nearly 750,000 people are without power in the east of the US as the country continues to experience extreme weather. Over 350,000 homes are without power in Michigan while other 150,000 have been affected in New Jersey, according to tracker Power Outage. Energy company DTE says that severe weather, including winds of over 60mph (97kmph), in Michigan on Friday evening caused widespread power outages. Other states which are affected include Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Wisconsin.
