Latest news with #PatersonFireDivision
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.
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
Over 150 people sick in 'mass casualty' event at graduations amid US heatwave
More than 150 people at an outdoor high school graduation ceremonies fell ill in a 'mass casualty' event amid a US heatwave. Nine people at a first graduation on Monday in Paterson, New Jersey, were taken to hospitals, with some suffering from dehydration, said Paterson Fire Chief Alex Alicea. About 50 people at Hinchliffe Stadium were treated for heat-related illnesses, according to the Paterson Fire Division. In a second graduation ceremony later in the day, seven people were transported to hospitals and roughly 100 people were treated at the scene. Alicea said. More Trending He called it 'a mass casualty incident' because of the sheer number of people who required medical attention. Officials shut down the ceremony and Paterson Mayor André Sayegh declared a state of emergency 'due to the extreme heat'. 'All recreational activities are canceled until further notice,' he stated in an Instagram post. 'Our libraries will serve as cooling centers, and water will also be available.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Prisoner said 'that's for Sarah Payne' after stabbing her murderer in his cell MORE: 'Burglar' gets stuck in chimney trying to rescue his trapped dog MORE: Girl, 12, raped by three men after being lured from Asda 'wakes up at night screaming'
