Latest news with #AndréSayegh
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Outdoor graduation ceremony becomes 'mass casualty incident' as over 150 people fall ill to extreme heat: 'I couldn't breathe'
Several high school graduations in New Jersey were postponed after excessive heat during a two-part ceremony Monday caused what the Paterson city fire chief declared a "mass casualty incident," according to the Guardian. A "heat dome" began to descend on vast swaths of the Northeast and Midwest on Sunday, and over 100 million Americans endured a days-long extreme heat warning as dangerous temperatures blanketed Boston, New York City, and Baltimore. Over 150 people were sickened in Paterson, New Jersey, on Monday during a pair of high school graduation ceremonies, the Guardian reported. According to NBC News, the Paterson Fire Division initially responded to the first of the two events. During the morning ceremony, around 50 people fell ill because of the excess heat. A second ceremony, held in the afternoon, proceeded as scheduled, and another 100 attendees required medical attention. Of those sickened, nine were hospitalized. Paterson Mayor André Sayegh subsequently canceled all "recreational activities," declaring a state of emergency as the heat index approached 110 degrees. The heat index, or "apparent temperature," is what outside temperatures feel like when accounting for humidity. CBS News' coverage of the events underscored the insidious nature of high temperatures, showing how quickly heat-related illness can endanger anyone. Excess heat is a form of extreme weather, and over the past three decades, it has resulted in more annual deaths on average than hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning strikes combined. Rising average global temperatures and warming seas have been likened to "steroids" when it comes to extreme weather. Heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms have always been part of weather patterns — but as the planet overheats, they've become far deadlier, costlier, and occur much more frequently. What's the worst thing about taking care of your yard? The time it takes How noisy it is It's too expensive I don't have a yard Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Extreme heat poses risks even to the young and healthy, and in Paterson, graduates and spectators alike fell ill. "It was exhausting. I couldn't breathe, like my chest hurts," Rosa Parks High School graduate Ciarra Bailey told News12 New Jersey. Another attendee witnessed "people fainting around us." Existing climate models are "likely understating the relationship between climate change and persistent summer weather extremes today," climate researcher Michael Mann told CNN. The city of Paterson issued a heat warning on its website ahead of the ceremonies. Nevertheless, more than 150 people became seriously ill. In Paterson and on much of the East Coast, local municipalities opened cooling centers for residents without access to a climate-controlled environment. The incidents at Paterson's graduation ceremonies occurred early in the season, with the typically hotter months yet to come. As extreme heat waves become stronger and more frequent, awareness of the impact of climate on weather is important — particularly because heat-related illnesses are fast-moving and extremely dangerous. During a heat wave, staying hydrated and avoiding unnecessary exertion are two key ways to stay safe. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Extreme heat blankets U.S., with almost 160 million under alerts from Texas to Maine
A dangerous heat wave continues to grip almost the entire eastern half of the United States, with temperatures expected to spike Tuesday and dozens of new record highs possible across a huge swath of the country. Nearly 160 million people are under heat alerts from eastern Texas to Maine, as temperatures are forecast to be as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit above seasonal averages. Highs in the triple digits are possible along the East Coast, with temperatures in New York City and Washington, D.C., rivaling Death Valley in California. Temperatures over 95 degrees will be widespread across the central and eastern United States. Heat index values — a measure of what conditions 'feel like' when humidity and air temperatures are combined — are expected to be well into the triple digits throughout the region, with some places possibly reaching as high as 115 degrees. The multiday heat wave, which began over the weekend, has already proven deadly: A woman in St. Ann, Missouri, died Monday of heat-related causes, according to the city's police chief, Aaron Jimenez. She died in her home after having no water or air conditioning for at least three days, Jimenez told NBC News. In Paterson, New Jersey, more than 100 people needed treatment during two outdoor graduation ceremonies Monday as the heat index climbed to 107 degrees. Monday evening, Mayor André Sayegh declared a state of emergency due to the high heat and canceled all recreational activities. More than 60 record-high temperatures were set across the country Monday, with more expected this week from the Southeast into New England. Preliminary daily records were set Tuesday in New York City (which hit 99 degrees), Philadelphia (which reached 100 degrees for the first time since 2012) and Raleigh, North Carolina (which hit 100 degrees). New all-time June monthly records were set in Boston (101 degrees) and Providence, Rhode Island (100 degrees), and Newark, New Jersey, tied its June record of 103 degrees. Conditions are expected to remain stiflingly hot through the evening hours, according to the National Weather Service. 'Overnight lows are forecast to only drop into the 70s, with urban centers along the East Coast struggling to drop below 80 degrees at night,' the weather service said Tuesday in its short-range forecast. The sweltering conditions are caused by a high-pressure ridge that is parked over the eastern United States. Such systems are known as heat domes because they trap hot air over a region, driving up temperatures for prolonged periods. Some relief is expected later this week, heading into the weekend, but heat and humidity will continue to soar in the coming days. 'The most significant cumulative heat impacts are anticipated across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday and eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, leading to several consecutive days of oppressive heat,' the weather service said. Anyone is susceptible to heat-related illness or death, but excessively hot and humid conditions — especially for days on end — are particularly risky for children, people with pre-existing health conditions, older adults and individuals who work outdoors. These health impacts are a significant concern as heat waves become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting due to climate change. As the eastern half of the country bakes under the heat dome, severe storms could hit parts of Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota and Nebraska. Heavy rainfall and flooding is also possible for much of New Mexico and far southwestern Texas. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 150 fall ill from extreme heat at New Jersey graduations
More than 150 people fell ill with heat at an outdoor high school graduation ceremony in New Jersey on Monday – and the fire chief of the city of Paterson declared 'a mass casualty incident' due to the overwhelming number of those who needed emergency treatment. The incident happened as students from several local schools in the city gathered at Hinchliffe Stadium to hear their names read out as graduates. Paterson's fire department said about 50 people were evaluated, and nine were sent to a local hospital from the stadium. During a second ceremony at the stadium, about 100 people ended up needing treatment – and seven were hospitalized. The Paterson mayor, André Sayegh, declared a state of emergency due to the high heat and canceled all recreational activities 'until further notice'. Temperatures in the region have soared in recent days, registering in the upper 90s fahrenheit. But the humidity pushes heat indexes to 107F (42C). In all, 150 million people have been under heat alerts from Maine to eastern Texas. The brutal temperatures stem from a so-called heat dome, which is when high pressure from Earth's atmosphere compresses warm air and pushes it down to the surface. They have been increasingly common in the US in recent years because of rising global temperatures being spurred by Earth's ongoing climate emergency. Temperatures in New York City on Tuesday inspired the attorney general, Letitia James, to predict that the heat could benefit the progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is running in the Big Apple's closely watched Democratic mayoral primary. 'Mother Nature will have the last word,' James said. Taking an overt dig at Mamdani's rival Andrew Cuomo, who resigned as New York governor amid accusations of sexually harassing women, James added: 'She represents women scorned. 'How ironic.' In the north-eastern US, several heat records look set to fall as temperatures in some locations are predicted to reach 110F. 'Significant and dangerous heat continues today, with potentially some of the hottest temperatures in over a decade in some locations,' the weather service Accuweather said on Tuesday. The national Storm Prediction Center says all areas of New Jersey have a 'marginal' risk of seeing severe thunderstorms with small hail and damaging winds on Wednesday. That could bring a reprieve from the temperatures while giving residents other weather perils to worry about.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
More than 150 fall ill from extreme heat at New Jersey graduations
More than 150 people fell ill with heat at an outdoor high school graduation ceremony in New Jersey on Monday – and the fire chief of the city of Paterson declared 'a mass casualty incident' due to the overwhelming number of those who needed emergency treatment. The incident happened as students from several local schools in the city gathered at Hinchliffe Stadium to hear their names read out as graduates. Paterson's fire department said about 50 people were evaluated, and nine were sent to a local hospital from the stadium. During a second ceremony at the stadium, about 100 people ended up needing treatment – and seven were hospitalized. The Paterson mayor, André Sayegh, declared a state of emergency due to the high heat and canceled all recreational activities 'until further notice'. Temperatures in the region have soared in recent days, registering in the upper 90s farenheit. But the humidity pushes heat indexes to 107F (42C). In all, 150 million people have been under heat alerts from Maine to eastern Texas. The brutal temperatures stem from a so-called heat dome, which when high pressure from Earth's atmosphere compresses warm air and pushes it down to the surface. They have been increasingly common in the US in recent years because of rising global temperatures being spurred by Earth's ongoing climate emergency. Temperatures in New York City on Tuesday inspired attorney general Letitia James to predict that the heat could benefit progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is running in the Big Apple's closely watched Democratic mayoral primary. 'Mother Nature will have the last word,' James said. Taking an overt dig at Mamdani's rival Andrew Cuomo, who resigned as New York governor amid accusations of sexually harassing women, James added: 'She represents women scorned. 'How ironic.' In the north-eastern US, several heat records look set to fall as temperatures in some locations are predicted to reach 110F. 'Significant and dangerous heat continues today, with potentially some of the hottest temperatures in over a decade in some locations,' the weather service Accuweather said Tuesday. The national Storm Prediction Center says all areas of New Jersey have a 'marginal' risk of seeing severe thunderstorms with small hail and damaging winds on Wednesday. That could bring a reprieve to the temperatures while giving residents other weather perils to worry about.
