New Jersey heat wave: 29 people died amid dangerous temps, officials say

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New Jersey officials said at least 29 people, ranging in age from their mid-30s to their 80s, have died from heat-related illnesses since last Tuesday.

“These numbers won’t be final until after the medical examiner has had a chance to complete their investigations,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Raymond Washington said during a press conference over the weekend when officials confirmed 19 deaths.

Washington said most deaths were reported in North and Central Jersey.

“Unfortunately, many of these individuals were found in homes without air conditioning,” he said. “A few were outside their residences, some on the street and some even in parked cars.”

A heatwave last year killed six people in the Garden State, Washington said.

“That just speaks to the severity of the current heat wave,” he said.

Temperatures soared into the high 90s and low 100s last week, with real-feel temperatures as high as 110 degrees.

Gov. Mike Sherrill said last week’s scorching heat affected people of all ages, not just older adults or those living with underlying health conditions.

“Extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in America,” Sherrill said. “And this is the hottest stretch we’ve seen in over 14 years.”

Power outages worsened the impact of the heat wave

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said close to 300,000 customers lost power when storms packing wind gusts up to 80 miles an hour brought down power lines Friday evening and over the weekend.

As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, 62,000 homes and businesses were still without power.

What are heat-related illnesses?

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, adverse health conditions can occur when the body is unable to properly cool itself, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps and heat rash. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, headache, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and muscle cramps. Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, hot, dry skin with no sweating, rapid pulse, headache, slurred speech, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness.

The Health Department says many individuals are at risk during extremely hot days, including older adults, infants and children, people without air conditioning or with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness and disabled people.

Heat safety tips

The Health Department says to prevent heat-related illness, hydration is key. In case temperatures rise again, officials are reminding residents to take shelter in shaded areas, avoid sugary, fatty foods and alcohol and strenuous activity.

Health Department officials urge people experiencing heat-related symptoms to seek shelter in a cool space or shelter and call 911 if conditions worsen.

Meteorologist Ray Martin at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said the hottest temperature measured during the heat wave, in the Central-South Jersey region, was 106 degrees at Atlantic City International Airport on July 4, which tied the all-time record set in July 2011. He said the 106-degree temperature recorded this past Saturday is being reviewed for accuracy by the National Weather Service.

Martin said several other weather stations across the region registered in the low 100s during the heat wave, which officially began on June 30.

“It’s been a while since we had heat like this,” he said. “It definitely was one of the more notable heat events that we’ve had.”

Martin said no unusual heat is predicted in the long-range forecast.

“We may hit 90 degrees by the end of the week, but for the most part temperatures should be more tame, in the 80s, which is normal for this time of year,” he said.