New York City had a maximum heat index of 110 degrees, and an actual high temperature of 96 degrees.
Advertisement
Philly Voice reports that on Saturday, a 67-year-old diabetic women in Port Richmond died of congestive heart failure and an 82-year-old woman in North Philadelphia with heart disease died of hypercholesterolemia.
A spokesman for the Philadelphia medical examiner’s office said Sunday that heat was a factor in the death of a 59-year-old north Philadelphia man who also had diabetes and congestive heart failure.
There has been a total of seven heat-related deaths tallied this summer.
With the excessive heat warning extended through Sunday night, city officials are concerned about the effects of the hot weather on the elderly and on the homeless, especially those with chronic lung and heart issues.
The high temperatures last Thursday through Sunday were all 95 degrees and above. Saturday saw a high of 97 degrees, just short of the 99 degrees record in 2002.
A rise in humidity levels and extremely hot temperatures have sent the heat index into the red zone throughout the northeast USA.
Forecasters warn Monday that a deadly heat wave sitting over the Northeast will likely stretch into much of the coming week before people can finally feel some relief.
Advertisement
On Saturday, Washington, D.C., tied a daily record high by reaching 101 degrees – the first 100-degree day there since July of 2012. The heat index reached 114 degrees during the afternoon.
