A brutal heat dome across the eastern and central United States has caused at least 25 heat-related deaths and broken dozens of daily temperature records over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
More than 20 states reported temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Authorities placed over 140 million Americans under active heat alerts as the extreme weather disrupted regional events and overwhelmed emergency medical services.
New Jersey Hardest Hit
New Jersey emerged as the hardest-hit region.
The state's Department of Health reported 22 suspected heat-related fatalities across 10 counties, primarily in central and northern areas.
Victims were discovered in un-air-conditioned homes, streets, and parked vehicles.
Health officials noted the fatalities involved individuals ranging from their mid-30s to their 80s, with the initial deaths occurring as early as Thursday.
"This is not a typical summer heatwave," the New Jersey Department of Public Health said in a statement.
"This type of heat can quickly become life-threatening to humans and to animals of all ages."
New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington told reporters on Saturday, "Unfortunately, many of these individuals were found in homes without air conditioning.
A few were outside their residences, some on the street and some even in parked cars."
State leaders emphasized that the prolonged extreme temperatures presented severe health risks to the general population.
"The heat's hitting all of us, not just seniors, not just with underlying health conditions, people of all ages," said New Jersey Gov.
