Heatwave Sends Dozens To Hospital Across Eastern North America

An intense surge of summer heat has landed heavily across eastern parts of the continent, sending multiple people to hospitals with heat-related conditions.

In Paterson, New Jersey, over 150 attendees at an outdoor school graduation fell ill on Monday due to the sweltering temperatures. The city’s mayor responded by declaring a state of emergency to address the growing health crisis.

Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., six concertgoers required medical attention during a live performance by the South Korean music group ‘Stray Kids’.

Heat advisories are in effect across a vast area stretching from the Midwest through the eastern United States and into Canadian provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. The blistering conditions are expected to affect more than 160 million people throughout the week.

Further down the East Coast, several individuals in North Carolina also suffered from heat exposure. Reports indicate that at least 41 patients, including minors, were admitted to hospitals in the region.

In New Jersey, the high number of medical emergencies during two separate graduation events led officials to classify the situation as a “mass casualty” event. As a result, some local ceremonies were called off.

Following the incident, Paterson’s Mayor Andre Sayegh issued an emergency declaration, ordering the suspension of all outdoor recreational activities and opening public cooling stations for relief.

Meteorologists are cautioning that high humidity levels combined with sustained high temperatures could severely increase the likelihood of heat exhaustion and stroke.

One of the most alarming features of this weather pattern is its prolonged nature—nighttime temperatures in some eastern cities are forecast to stay above 80°F (27°C), offering little relief from the daytime heat.

Although the summer has just officially begun, forecasters say this heatwave may set all-time records in certain areas. Some cities may experience their hottest June days ever.

By Thursday, the Mid-Atlantic is predicted to bear the brunt of the heat, followed by the eastern parts of the Ohio Valley on Friday. The consecutive days of extreme warmth are expected to amplify public health risks across these zones.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) has warned people to “take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke”.

Health officials are advising residents to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, remain hydrated, and check on at-risk individuals, particularly seniors and those with underlying health issues.

Though extreme summer heat is common in the region, meteorologists believe this particular spell could break June records in several states.

In New York City, temperatures on Tuesday could hit 101°F (38°C), potentially matching a record high from June 1966.

Utility companies along the East Coast have urged households to reduce energy use amid rising concerns of power outages, as millions turn up their air conditioners to combat the brutal heat.